A question and answer session to explain projects at Jim Thorpe Stadium became heated Thursday night.
Residents were given the chance to ask questions to Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education members concerning the renovations and improvements to the aging facility.
The discussions were calm, but also were intense at times when some residents were upset because various projects weren’t being addressed or weren’t a high enough priority.
The first to raise a question was Fred Turner, who asked how the bond money would be spent. He was upset because he felt not enough money was being utilized for the track and too much was being allocated to the new concession/restroom facility at Jim Thorpe Stadium.
David Harp, business manager for the school district, explained how the bond monies from the 2005 and 2009 bonds will be utilized for the athletics facilities.
Harp explained that $500,000 was set aside from the 2005 bond issue and an additional $325,000 would be used from the building fund to complete the estimated $825,000 in improvements.
That money is specifically set aside for the track itself, Harp said, adding they knew at that time the 2005 bond passed that the money allocated wouldn’t be enough to complete the stadium project.
The $1.13 million from the 2009 bond issue will be used to construct, furnish and equip new restroom and concession facilities at the football stadium, including finishing out the track project.
“It depends on money,” Harp said.
David Parsons, school board president, said the intent of the 2005 bond issue was to get the ball rolling on the track project, noting the school board knew then it wasn’t enough. He followed that by saying the board will look at all options once the bids on the stadium project come in, adding the district has five alternatives they can look at for the project.
Frank Sims, a Shawnee city commissioner, was at the meeting and brought up the point that the gymnasium at the middle school wasn’t designed properly and the stands on one side, when fully extended, would not allow for teams to play basketball.
“They should have built that for adequate needs,” Sims said.
David Parsons responded by saying the facility serves its purpose, as both a gymnasium and a facility where all the students can gather. The gymnasium is a multipurpose facility.
Sims fired back by saying the school board didn’t spend properly.
“We compromise because of the money and do not inferior, but lesser projects because of that,” Sims said. “Let’s do one project and do it right.”
Mark Betterton, Shawnee High School head boys track coach, questioned whether or not the district had enough money to complete the project fully.
He noted the district, since he first started coaching at SHS, has let the track facilities slip by the wayside and this project needed to be done right.
“I think we’re all here to accomplish that,” Betterton said. “I think most of us are here because it’s a priority of where we put the money. What is the priority?”
School board member Larry Walker, who has long advocated for a specific type of track surface, said the board will spend wisely with this project.
“We’re going to do the best we can with every buck we have,” Walker said. “It’s about changing lives one kid at a time.”
This whole thing goes back to what the track staff wants, Betterton said, adding they want it done right.
“I think that track has waited their turn,” Betterton said. “It’s been five years since it was promised.”
Kelly Parsons, assistant football coach, raised the question of why coaches weren’t consulted prior to meeting with the architects about the project.
David Parsons responded by saying the school board tried to coordinate the interested parties and held a few meetings. He continued by saying the board received the first plans at its January meeting.
The 65 percent plans, which the board approved by a unanimous vote, 7-0, state the project will include a new concession/toilets and ticket booth complex, general site development improvements, improvements to the track and field facilities, along with mechanical and electrical improvements.
At that meeting Walker strongly advocated for the use of a proper surface and David Parsons questioned the location of the new concession/restroom facilities.
At that meeting, architect Jeff Wegener, who represented LWPB Architecture, said the restrooms had to be built in that spot to compensate for the design, but said it would not affect the rest of the improvements. He added during that meeting the track would consist of eight lanes.
“I’m trying to argue to prioritize and do it right,” Kelly Parsons said.
Turner spoke again later in the meeting because he didn’t feel the new concession stand and restrooms were a necessary project.
“I don’t think you need it,” Turner said. “Why don’t you wait? Why don’t you delay it?”
Board member Keith Sandlin said the district had to reconstruct the new facility.
“We are bounded by law because of how the bond issue was written,” Sandlin said. “We’re going to do every thing we can to ensure that track is done the best we can.”
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Josh Burton may be reached by calling 214-3926.
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A question and answer session to explain projects at Jim Thorpe Stadium became heated Thursday night.
Residents were given the chance to ask questions to Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education members concerning the renovations and improvements to the aging facility.
The discussions were calm, but also were intense at times when some residents were upset because various projects weren’t being addressed or weren’t a high enough priority.
The first to raise a question was Fred Turner, who asked how the bond money would be spent. He was upset because he felt not enough money was being utilized for the track and too much was being allocated to the new concession/restroom facility at Jim Thorpe Stadium.
David Harp, business manager for the school district, explained how the bond monies from the 2005 and 2009 bonds will be utilized for the athletics facilities.
Harp explained that $500,000 was set aside from the 2005 bond issue and an additional $325,000 would be used from the building fund to complete the estimated $825,000 in improvements.
That money is specifically set aside for the track itself, Harp said, adding they knew at that time the 2005 bond passed that the money allocated wouldn’t be enough to complete the stadium project.
The $1.13 million from the 2009 bond issue will be used to construct, furnish and equip new restroom and concession facilities at the football stadium, including finishing out the track project.
“It depends on money,” Harp said.
David Parsons, school board president, said the intent of the 2005 bond issue was to get the ball rolling on the track project, noting the school board knew then it wasn’t enough. He followed that by saying the board will look at all options once the bids on the stadium project come in, adding the district has five alternatives they can look at for the project.
Frank Sims, a Shawnee city commissioner, was at the meeting and brought up the point that the gymnasium at the middle school wasn’t designed properly and the stands on one side, when fully extended, would not allow for teams to play basketball.
“They should have built that for adequate needs,” Sims said.
David Parsons responded by saying the facility serves its purpose, as both a gymnasium and a facility where all the students can gather. The gymnasium is a multipurpose facility.
Sims fired back by saying the school board didn’t spend properly.
“We compromise because of the money and do not inferior, but lesser projects because of that,” Sims said. “Let’s do one project and do it right.”
Mark Betterton, Shawnee High School head boys track coach, questioned whether or not the district had enough money to complete the project fully.
He noted the district, since he first started coaching at SHS, has let the track facilities slip by the wayside and this project needed to be done right.
“I think we’re all here to accomplish that,” Betterton said. “I think most of us are here because it’s a priority of where we put the money. What is the priority?”
School board member Larry Walker, who has long advocated for a specific type of track surface, said the board will spend wisely with this project.
“We’re going to do the best we can with every buck we have,” Walker said. “It’s about changing lives one kid at a time.”
This whole thing goes back to what the track staff wants, Betterton said, adding they want it done right.
“I think that track has waited their turn,” Betterton said. “It’s been five years since it was promised.”
Kelly Parsons, assistant football coach, raised the question of why coaches weren’t consulted prior to meeting with the architects about the project.
David Parsons responded by saying the school board tried to coordinate the interested parties and held a few meetings. He continued by saying the board received the first plans at its January meeting.
The 65 percent plans, which the board approved by a unanimous vote, 7-0, state the project will include a new concession/toilets and ticket booth complex, general site development improvements, improvements to the track and field facilities, along with mechanical and electrical improvements.
At that meeting Walker strongly advocated for the use of a proper surface and David Parsons questioned the location of the new concession/restroom facilities.
At that meeting, architect Jeff Wegener, who represented LWPB Architecture, said the restrooms had to be built in that spot to compensate for the design, but said it would not affect the rest of the improvements. He added during that meeting the track would consist of eight lanes.
“I’m trying to argue to prioritize and do it right,” Kelly Parsons said.
Turner spoke again later in the meeting because he didn’t feel the new concession stand and restrooms were a necessary project.
“I don’t think you need it,” Turner said. “Why don’t you wait? Why don’t you delay it?”
Board member Keith Sandlin said the district had to reconstruct the new facility.
“We are bounded by law because of how the bond issue was written,” Sandlin said. “We’re going to do every thing we can to ensure that track is done the best we can.”
———
Josh Burton may be reached by calling 214-3926.
