Shenendehowa High School Athletics Director Matthew Jones proposed a $3.9 million plan for track and field renovations at the Shenendehowa Central School District’s board of education meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
It’s been a continuous issue of losing green space, Jones said. `With our community growing, this way is the way to go.`
Saying that the project would be eligible for state aid, Jones said that putting down artificial turf on the existing sports ground would level the playing field for all students at Shenendehowa High School who could use the surface for physical education classes. `We have used the football field for 10 hours a week in the fall, and the proposal is to turf the field to use it for phys ed for nine periods a day,` Jones said.
Jones also suggested adding 1,000 seats in the stadium, additional restrooms, and moving concession stands to alleviate congestion at entranceways. Meanwhile, he said that the district could use state aid for track renovations, additional bleachers, and site development which would cost over $1.1 million.
Head football coach Brent Steuerwald, said that renovations are needed to provide ample room for existing high school athletics teams.
`It’s a history of shrinkage. When I came in as coach in 1967, there were eight varsity sports, no women’s athletics, and we had ample room,` he said.
Though a few board members expressed concerns over injuries associated with artificial turf, Steuerwald said that it is made of new materials that are much safer. He also said that real grass holds more potential for injury after multiple uses.
`Safety diminishes after using grass,` Steuerwald added.
Jones said that his plan was preliminary and that his intention was to solicit support from the board of education.
According to district spokeswoman Kelly Deficiani, the board would have to review the plan and decide what to do at a later date.
In other news, several Shenendehowa academic department administrators shared mid-year goals with board members. According to district Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson, the focus of mid-year goals was on instruction, curriculum and accountability.
High school science administrator Jean Lorch said that teachers in math, science and technology were working together to create more project-based learning experiences. `It’s not just nanotechnology,` Lorch said. `We are making learning more project-based.`
Additionally, high school technology administrator Ken McDermith said that math, science and technology teachers have been-cross training to learn the language of one another’s subjects.
`Things have been done in isolation, and teachers don’t always share the same terminology,` said McDermith.
Robinson stressed the need for leadership development, saying the district is only as good as its leaders.
`Administrators are the last to eat at the table,` he said. `We need to push for leadership development.“