Jennifer Perry Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute
Addressing rumors that the school board had approved and then backpedaled on installing turf on the high school football field was a main topic of discussion during Tuesday’s meeting of the Jefferson Independent School District’s Board of Trustees.
Carrie Schwartz, Booster Club president, and April Taylor Johnson, Booster Club vice president, both addressed the board, stating that the turf desperately needed to be replaced due to the fact that there were potholes and fire ants on the field.
“These kids and these coaches deserve a nice field, something to be proud of,” Schwartz said during the public comment portion of the meeting. “We are literally tore up just painting the field it’s so bad…don’t put band-aids on it. Let’s do it right the first time.”
Johnson reiterated Schwartz’ statements, and said “We all know that when you look good, you play good.”
Board President Jason Bonner thanked them for their statements and thanked the members of the JHS football team who also attended the meeting. He also said that board members could not comment on statements made during the public comment period.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Rob Barnwell addressed what he called “the elephant in the room” when he gave an update on the board’s renovation plans for the football stadium.
He said he didn’t know where the idea had come from that the board had approved new turf for the field, and that if anyone had any questions about the board’s actions or decisions, that they could call him anytime or come to a meeting.
In May, the board heard a presentation from Trull-Hollensworth Architects, Inc., of Magnolia, Ark., about renovations to the football stadium and other long-term district projects. The firm has experience with football stadiums, and a representative told the board they would look at the field, press box, parking lot and drainage and present some preliminary drawings.
Barnwell said that the board had not approved any contractors, nor have they made any decisions on turf yet. He added that the drawings will be available in December, and that from there, they will get quotes and determine a contractor for the projects, but that it will depend on how much they cost.
He also said that the project funding would come from the district’s fund balance, which is money they save specifically for projects so they don’t have to go out for a bond and raise taxes.
“We have always talked about getting turf on this field,” Barnwell said. “We want it. We need it…do I want it? Damn right I do.”
The board has also been conducting walk-throughs of the facilities, including the new fourth-grade wing, which was paid for through money the district had saved.
Whether or not they get the turf will depend on the project price, he said. The estimates he’s seen range from $3.7 to $3.8 million, and the district needs it to be $3 million or under. He added that other things need to be remodeled, as well, including the stadium’s press box.
Trustee Langbartels said it has been a timely process and the board wants to make sure they do it right.
“We all want something done,” he said. “So just bear with us we’re trying, I guarantee you we’re trying.”
In other business, Patti Wallace with the tax office told the board the next tax sale will be held December 7 and there will be 38 properties available. These include an 80-acre tract in the east end of Marion County and a 30-acre tract. Some lake lots and parcels less than an acre will also be available in the sale. Wallace also said that all of the properties offered in the September sale were sold in one day.
Dr. Lynn Phillips, the district’s curriculum director, also gave a report on the district’s progress measures in early childhood reading and math literacy.
She said that the numbers are showing that the students are making exemplary progress and that attainable goals are being set for them.
“These numbers look really good considering what we’ve had to overcome over the past year,” Phillips said, referring to student learning gaps and adjustments due to COVID-19.
Trustees also voted to renew the District of Innovation Plan through November 2026. Initially approved by JISD trustees in 2017, the DOI plan gives districts many flexibilities offered to the state’s charter schools, including allowing each district to choose when they start school.
The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14.