Parents, coaches press Taylor School Board for field upgrades; board approves construction‑management agreement

The Taylor School District board voted to enter a construction‑management agreement for its long‑discussed athletic‑field renovation project after more than an hour of public comment from parents, students, coaches and boosters who called the current fields unsafe and damaging to district morale.

The decision followed a presentation from consultant Gary Kennan, who outlined an RFP process that produced three proposals and said the project team recommended a construction‑management firm; the meeting packet quoted an initial contract amount of $630,407 and noted a proposed construction‑manager fee of about 1.95% of construction costs. The motion to enter the agreement passed on the board floor by a unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: Residents and program leaders told the board that failing fields have caused injuries, limited the district’s ability to host events that raise funds, and contributed to families and students leaving the district. Multiple speakers said parts of the renovations are included in previously authorized bond language, which they said makes the work eligible for bond funding and subject to timing constraints.

Parents and students described repeated problems. Student Jenna Macau Macalski said the field has “gopher holes” and floods, causing falls and damage to expensive marching‑band uniforms: “I’ve hurt myself multiple times...we still have to march on it,” she said. Parent and band‑booster representative Jennifer Ferguson Behringer told the board the project would fix drainage, provide turf for football and infields for baseball and softball, add dugouts and restrooms, and allow the district to host competitions that generate revenue.

Athletic director Chris Simons said the Michigan High School athletic authorities have labeled some fields “unplayable and unsafe.” He warned that continued deterioration could force the district out of its current league schedule and create substantial travel and liability burdens: “If you went out there right now, it’s like you can’t repair that,” he said.

Board and staff next steps: District staff said the construction manager will help finalize schedules and preconstruction planning. The board’s agenda also included a forthcoming resolution related to selling bond proceeds that will affect project timing. Board members told the public they expected additional decisions in the coming weeks once remaining information is available.

Details and limitations: The construction‑management contract amount cited in the meeting materials was described in the presentation as an initial contract amount of $630,407; the packet also referenced an estimated construction‑services cost for the package and a construction‑management fee percentage, but final construction costs will be determined through bids and subsequent contract adjustments.

The board hearing included many individual appeals from students, parents and staff; the district thanked speakers and said staff and the construction team would continue outreach as project planning proceeds.

The board approved the construction‑management agreement during the meeting and then moved on to other agenda items.