Spencer PTO increases contribution; district will install rubber playground surfacing across all phases

Mr. Jones explained a revised proposal for the Spencer elementary playground and surfacing, saying the district and the Spencer PTO reorganized costs so the PTO’s prior equipment quote was revised after the district removed the wood‑chip surfacing cost. “When he went back to Spencer PTO and said, here’s a new quote for equipment only, it was about $66,000,” Jones said.

Jones told the board the PTO agreed to increase its donation so the contractor could perform the entire playground build and install rubber surfacing across all three phases at once rather than in separate phases, which staff said would require rework and increase expense. He said the PTO’s revised equipment contribution covered the equipment for all phases and that the district would pay for the rubber surfacing across the project footprint.

Board members noted the revised plan added more accessible equipment, including an accessible swing, and praised the collaboration. A board member said the additional PTO contribution “is less than an additional $10,000” compared with the previously approved plan and that “I don’t think we need to have a new motion. I think our previous motion satisfactorily covers this, just as a modified approach forward under that approved motion.”

District staff thanked Brian at Midstates Recreation for his work on the revised quote and the Spencer PTO for increasing their donation. The board concluded no additional board action was necessary for the modified approach under the previously approved parameters and directed staff to continue with project coordination.