Board adopts second reading of turf-field lights policy with restrictions on use

The Pleasantville Board of Education on Tuesday approved the second reading of board policy 32-85, the district’s policy governing use of the main turf-field lights. Trustees described the policy as one of the district’s more restrictive lighting policies and said its primary purpose is to allow games to finish while permitting limited school activities when necessary.

In discussion, trustees and administrators said the lights would be subject to specific time limits and that dark‑sky‑certified fixtures and sound-and-light-mitigating landscaping are included in design plans to reduce neighborhood impacts. "This is really a safety valve, in my view," the board president said, arguing that allowing limited use for school activities (for example, to finish games or support an occasional curricular activity) preserves student opportunities while constraining community impacts.

Some trustees raised concerns about temporary portable lights and diesel fumes used in the past and urged the community to weigh long-term implications of approving capital investments. One trustee noted that portable lights cost about $12,000 per season but are "inadequate" and that permanent fixtures would address both light quality and air-quality concerns associated with temporary diesel generators.

A motion to approve the second reading was moved and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The policy adoption is procedural: if Proposition 2 (which includes field-lighting elements) is approved by voters on May 19, the district will proceed with design and community coordination on light placement, mitigation plantings and specific time-of-use rules.