The Clark County Board of Education approved 4-1 to add artificial turf to the baseball and softball infields and outfields during its working budget meeting Tuesday.

Board member Scott Hisle opposed the motion.

The board tabled the vote last week during its regular meeting with the intention of having more information in Tuesday’s meeting. 

Representatives from Codell Construction and RossTarrant Architects were at the meeting Tuesday with an updated estimate from Vescio’s Sports Fields for the various options. Representatives told the board the cost for the field to have artificial turf on the infield and a sod outfield would be closer to $521,650 or about $621,650 with the sand slit grid system under the sod. That number was up from the earlier estimate of about $476,000 for the artificial turf infield and sod outfield with a sand slit grid system. 

Representatives also noted the artificial turf infield and outfield would cost closer to $1,386,250, down from the initial estimate of $1.46 million. 

The updated estimates decreased the price gap from last week’s approximately $1 million difference to about a $764,000 difference. The reps said the primary benefit of an all-artificial turf field is the ability to play virtually anytime, even after a storm. Reps said the fields, if all turf, would be ready to play by spring, which was a concern many board members had.

Superintendent Paul Christy told the board he wasn’t able to determine an accurate comparison to weigh the long-term benefits of a full-turfed field versus the alternatives as there wasn’t sufficient information in regards to hours the maintenance staff spent on the field, etc. 

Board Chair Gordon Parido said he was for turfing the entire outfield and infield of both fields because over the years, he’s looked at various things in the district and thought, “Why didn’t they do this?” Parido said he didn’t want to think that this time around. 

“I know it’s a big number,” Parido said. “And I’ve watched us not spend anything on kids. I think it’s the time to do it.”

Hisle said he was OK with an artificial turf infield but would prefer a sod outfield as the school district only has a limited amount of funds.

Hisle said he would rather see some money rollover into future projects such as a new preschool, updates to Campbell Junior High School or whatever may arise. Hisle said the project they’re sitting on now benefitted from contingency roll forwards going into it. 

The facility planning committee, which is in the process of forming, will determine a new facility plan and list of priorities for the district in the coming year.

“I think our money would be better spent on more educational related items, which would be preschool, Campbell, other items that are on the facility plan,” Hisle said. “I just cannot spend in all good [conscience] the extra $800,000 on artificial turf on the outfield.”

Hisle said he was also especially uncomfortable spending the additional $$764,000 for the artificial turf on the outfield because the district isn’t at the end of the gymnasium project and something may pop up that requires significant funds. Hisle said everyone’s concerns were valid, but he couldn’t vote in favor of the artificial turf on infield and outfields.

Board member Bill Taulbee said after much thought, he was in full support of turfing the infields and outfields as he thought it was in the best interest of the community and the district.

“I think this is something the community can point to and say, ‘Wow, look at that, look at the high school,’” Taulbee said. “And for families looking to locate here, the first thing they’re going to do is look at our facilities in our district, and every kid is going to go through our middle school and our high school and they’re going to look at these facilities, and I’m hoping that if the board passes this and chooses to move forward, that it will bring more people in our community… There’s going to be more tournaments; there’s going to be more things that we can do in our facilities that we’ve never done before, and I think it’s hard to put a price on that and know what kind of impact that’s gonna be, but there will be an impact. So, I’m in full favor.”

Board member Sherry Richardson said she was for turfing both the infield and outfields after seeing the excitement from the opening of the new all-artificial turf football field.

“Our children deserve it, to have a turf infield and outfield,” she said. “I think it will greatly promote our schools to people coming into the community.”

Richardson said it would be nice for the community to set the pace instead of being further down the line, after a rep told the board the only other high school in the area with all-turf fields was Lexington Catholic. 

Hisle followed up, adding he would rather see the money spent on a new preschool. Hisle suggested even returning to the idea of an artificial turf outfield in future years.

“You’re always generally speculating,” Parido said, following Hisle’s comments. “… That’s not to say that we’re not going to have money for that year. You don’t sacrifice one project because you think it’s going to hurt the next project, right? This right here is just a showcase for a community.”

Parido also mentioned the cost of maintenance overtime would be less compared to an all artificial turf field. 

Board member Ashley Ritchie said she has thought about the issue from all sides, but after seeing comments from the community wanting artificial turf and from her experience as a mother with a son who plays baseball, artificial turf seems to be the consensus all the way around.

“Let’s do it right,” Ritchie said. 

Parido said while he understands the viewpoint of saving money, he said it’s pointless to consider that when the board doesn’t even know anything about any future projects or what they might be. Parido said the board doesn’t know what the next project is, and if the influx of students continue, the district may even need a new elementary school. Regardless, a new project, Parido said, will likely be about one to two years away, anyways. 

“Let’s do this,” Parido said. “Then let’s talk about what’s right the next time.”