As for Pierson's outdoor facilities, District Superintendent Dr. John Gratto spoke to the importance of refurbishing Pierson High School's field with synthetic turf and lights. Both measures, he said, would give Pierson athletes more ability to use the facilities for a longer period of time.
According to District Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Montgomery "Monty" Granger, the creation of a turf field would bring his department a significant savings. He currently budgets about $60,000 for field maintenance, he explained; but with a turf field the department would only have to spend about $5,000 a year to keep it intact.
Echoing some of the dissent heard back in 2009, community member Steven Reiner expressed some concerns. As far as the new field proposals go, Reiner said installing turf could be a far more complicated process than expected. However, he continued, "The light option is a far more problematic, and more vigorously opposed by the neighborhood."
"I would think that a very full environmental report would have to be conducted," he said, before the school district can bring this to the public for a vote He further explained that there are issues of traffic, access and public safety that need to be addressed.
"Once this becomes a decision that leaves the confines of the school and affects the community, police officers, garbage collectors I don't think it's a choice one can offer the public lightly, without due diligence."
"An awful lot of work needs to be done before lights can be considered for this area," he concluded.
Pierson teacher and girls' soccer coach Peter Solow suggested that perhaps the committee should consider separating the turf and the lights into two separate bonds, as the lights seem to be more controversial.
"If there was a field [and] a track, I guarantee you it will probably get more use than anything else in this community," he said. "This is not simply an issue of interscholastic sports. The field can be used by the community on a year-long basis."
While the school board has yet to tease out the finer details of the committee's proposal, school board member Sandi Kruel did address concerns she had with the current plans for the Pierson cafeteria expansion.
The new plan, at $166,920, is a fraction of the cost presented two years ago, which topped $500,000. However, though the plan will add 16 seats, expand the kitchen area to include prep space and double storage capabilities, Pierson will still not have a functioning commercial kitchen, meaning cafeteria staff will not be able to cook using a stovetop.
"Unfortunately, to build a code-compliant commercial kitchen, it was an additional $350,000 for all the changes that need to be put in place," Russo explained.
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