Superintendent outlines $6M athletic-field plan as parents press for HVAC and roof fixes

Superintendent Richard Hawkins told the Grant County Board of Commissioners that the district is moving toward construction bids for a multi-site athletic-field project and related capital work. He said the district expects to invite construction bids in December and seek Public School Capital Outlay Council support next spring, and that the district has budgeted roughly $6 million for the turf and field scope while also securing state and local matches for HVAC and roofing work at Harrison Elementary.

Hawkins summarized recent design reviews and financing steps: "We received $1,200,000 from the state match to our local match of 2,100,000, which is approximately $3,400,000," he said, and said roofing and HVAC replacement work is slated to start late this fall into the spring. He described prior negotiations with the state land office, appraisal work in 2022 (about $435,700), and a range of lease options that left the district weighing investments on property it does not own.

Parents and community members who spoke during public comment pushed back on turf priorities. Randy White said classrooms were overheating and that he planned to "take recordings" at Harrison to document temperatures. One commenter told the commissioners that artificial turf can run significantly hotter than natural grass and that coaches and players prefer grass in many cases.

Hawkins said the turf proposal grew from community requests in the Facilities Matching Plan, and from coach and student input that sought more durable, multiuse fields: "Turf fields allowed for durability" and would increase year-round access for football, soccer and PE, he said. He acknowledged safety and heat concerns and said the district will study available research and product choices if the board moves forward.

Why it matters: The proposal pairs multi‑million‑dollar field upgrades with ongoing building-repair needs residents highlighted—HVAC, leaky roofs and restroom upgrades. Commissioners said they want more precise cost breakdowns, accessibility and neighborhood-impact plans, and confirmation of where the district will invest capital before approving funds that could affect operating budgets.

Next steps: Hawkins said the district would continue design and bidding work, bring back detailed cost estimates after the December bid process, and coordinate with the school board, PSFA/PSCOC and the county on land/ownership questions before any final approvals.