Board declines Warner Athletics bid to redress Cannon County High School field after oversight concerns

The Cannon County Board of Education on April 9 discussed a $49,500 bid from Warner Athletics to redress the Cannon County High School football field and ultimately did not approve the bid at the meeting.

Board members described visible safety issues on the field — "roots, divots, it's uneven" — and said the surface presented hazards for students and athletes. One member who inspected the field said it "needs to be fixed" because holes and uneven surfaces could make it unsafe to play on.

Several members said they wanted a third-party specialist or a contractor with specific athletic-field expertise to review the scope and contract to ensure the district was getting what it needed and to avoid omissions in the contract. "I don't feel comfortable approving this, because I don't know anything about football fields," one board member said, urging an independent review.

A motion to approve Warner Athletics' bid for $49,500 was made and seconded. The meeting record shows multiple board members voted "no" and an official statement in the transcript indicates the motion did not pass; the transcript does not provide a clear, readable roll-call tally in every line. Board members who opposed the motion cited both budget priorities and the need for technical oversight; others who supported the motion emphasized that the field needed prompt attention for student safety.

The board left the item without approving the contract and indicated it would seek additional review and expertise before reintroducing a procurement recommendation.