Board talks stadium options

MENDON - Parkway school officials are looking at the future of the football stadium with options that range from basic repairs to complete replacement.

School board members on Tuesday learned building a new stadium at the existing track area would cost about $2 million. Several options also were discussed if officials opted to keep and improve the current stadium.

Middle School Principal Brian Woods and superintendent Greg Puthoff presented several options at Tuesday's board meeting at Mendon's library.

Those choices included purchasing a $15,000 sunscreen for the home side of the field, widening aisles and adding handrails to the bleachers and switching the home and visitors sides of the field.

District officials plan to explain the options to the sports boosters and at other public meetings. Those exchanges combined with a survey will help determine the need and extent of stadium improvements.

Board members will also weigh funding options ranging from tapping the general fund to putting a levy on the ballot. Repairs bringing some foundational supports up to code could cost nearly $200,000. A completely new stadium at the current site would cost nearly $400,000.

A stadium at the track would be much more expensive, because the football field itself would need to be built from the ground up, Puthoff said. That project would also require new bleachers, press boxes and lighting.

Board member Jeff Armstrong said "other schools appreciate the atmosphere of Parkway's stadium and how close they are to the game, because it is not inside a track."

In an emotional response to the recent death of Parkway High School student Alexis Bickle from injuries suffered in an auto accident, parent Carrie Ring shared her dismay over Parkway's current crisis-response plan.

Because the district lacks a trained crisis team, Ring suggested officials contact auxiliary teams at the Lima or Celina school system. She strongly encouraged officials to update the crisis-response handbook, as this information is considered out of date if it is more than 10 years old.

Music Boosters members attended with band director Ryan Twigg to thank board members for their support in purchasing new instruments. Many items have been updated, including four new sousaphones, three baritones, three horns and an improved drum line.

"I am so proud of our band on the field compared to schools that are larger than ours," Armstrong said.

Board members also learned the cafeteria had received high ratings on the state inspection report. No violations were noted. The kitchen's cleanliness and organization were highly rated and correct temperatures were used in all food preparation areas.

High School Principal Brian Fortkamp noted the PSAT test has been set for Nov. 2.

Elementary principal Mark Esselstein noted the state has not yet released third-grade test scores. New testing is scheduled for next week.

Woods said middle school students have sold 2,500 containers of cookie dough at $6 each. Students are now selling Lions Club fish-fry tickets.

An afterschool robotics program will be created thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Mercer County Economic Development Fund, he added.

Puthoff reported a work camp entitled "Restoring Communities Through Home Repair," has been coordinated by several churches, including Mount Tabor, Olive Branch and others in Celina, Mendon, Rockford and Ohio City. Church members traveling to Rockford from Oklahoma were awarded a $300,000 grant to make home repairs for those in need. The organization has contracted with Parkway officials to stay in the gymnasium and be fed by school cafeteria staff during their four-day stay in the area.

Puthoff also noted the district is advertising for a new marching and concert band assistant director.

Also on Tuesday, board members,

• approved seeking bids for a new minibus and retiring an older full-sized bus. The nine-passenger bus will better serve some sports teams and other groups that are smaller and do not need a full-size bus when they travel, Puthoff said.

• tabled a $10 per day pay raise for substitute teachers.