The Fond du Lac School Board wants more information before deciding whether to allow the district to move forward with a proposal to replace the grass with artificial turf at Fruth Field. The board discussed the matter at a workshop session Monday night asking questions about need, cost, priorities, location and safety. Several board members expressed concerns with the proposal including Mark Strand who says it would not be prudent financially. “I just know human nature. We put it on the fund balance, we’re not going to be able to raise the money, and we’re going to be holding the bag,” Strand told WFDL news. “My thoughts are this…we’ve got too many other things we got to be worrying about.” Strand says the school district is going to have to start talking about what to do about aging buildings in the not so distant future. Superintendent Dr. Jim Sebert says the goal would be to raise the estimated nearly $2 million to pay for the project, but would ask the school board for permission to borrow the money from the fund balance. “Really what we’re talking about is we want to have pledges for this project up front. We want to know that we have the money coming in,” Sebert said. In addition to artificial turf the project includes removing the track, new lighting and what has been described as a community pavillion. Others have raised concerns that the school district still owes nearly a half million dollars for the new entry at Fruth. The school district promised that money would be paid back when donations came in…but that hasn’t happened. Sebert says extra revenue raised by additional use of a new field would help pay for that. But board member Mark Jurgella says he’s not convinced the district will be able to raise the money. “I think that’s a tough solicitation right now in this general community,” Jurgella said. Board member Susan Jones says she is opposed to the project. “I think the cost is prohibitive, the ongoing maintenance, issues with flooding,” Jones said. Board president Julie Nett is the only board member who is solidly behind the project. “I know so many people think its just about football, but it could open the door for band competitions, soccer, opening up a whole different opportunity for other kids involved in other events,” Nett said. Board member Elizabeth Hayes says she is undecided at this point and wants more information.
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