In keeping with a pledge he made last week, Katy ISD board candidate Ross Raymond appeared at Monday’s school board meeting to ask trustees to reconsider a plan to spend $5.2 million to install artificial turn on football fields at all six of the district’s high schools.
During the “public comments” portion of the meeting, Raymond urged the board to rescind its previous action and take time to consider the full ramifications of the expenditure.
Raymond is running for the Position 6 seat on the school board against incumbent Robert Shaw.
Time limitations prevented Raymond from reading all of his comments into the record; however, he later provided a full statement to members of the media, including InstantNewsKaty.
Raymond urged trustees to not “get caught up in the heat of the moment” and make a premature decision on the high-ticket project.
“We should slow down and reconsider this proposal and allow time for the board to more carefully consider viable alternatives and also to provide reasonable time for public comment. There is just too much at stake to rush this matter along,” Raymond said. “I realize there is a natural concern and desire to fast track this for this fall’s football schedule. However, let’s recall for 110 years Katy High School students have played on grass fields and won several state championships in the process, and one more season of playing on God’s natural grass surely won’t hurt us.”
He also said a rushed decision given the current economic climate might come back to haunt the district.
“On the other hand, a hasty decision in these uncertain economic times, no matter how well intended, may haunt us for years as not only do we suffer the expense of $5.25 million but we have to pay interest as well,” Raymond said. “As homeowners, we all understand interest; interest expense is why our homes cost us three times the sales price by the time we pay off the note. Make no mistake about it, KISD taxpayers will be required to pay back this $5.25 million plus interest.”
He also responded to comments made by KISD Chief Operations Officer Thomas Gunnell saying the artificial turf would save the district $150,000 in maintenance over the next 10 years.
“Let’s put that in perspective – if KISD deposited the same $5.25 million into a bank (certificate of deposit) paying 4 percent interest, at the end of 10 years that CD would be worth $7,771,282.50. In other words, it would have earned more than $2.5 million dollars in interest versus our $150,000 savings,” Raymond pointed out.
He also said that when the replacement cost for the artificial turf was factored in, the total price over ten years would be more than $10 million.
“We were told the useful life of this turf is 8-10 years; therefore, we must budget for total replacement of the turf, which I understand at present cost would be about $2 million, which we would, in turn, finance, pushing the cost of this project north of $10 million dollars over the same 10 year period,” Raymond said. “These artificial fields would also add significantly to the construction cost of each new high school as we would not want the new campuses to have less than the others.”
Raymond also recommended the board explore alternatives before committing to artificial turf.
“If the real issue is that we can’t keep our grass fields in proper condition, then I respectfully suggest we turn our attention to that problem and see what needs to be done. If necessary, let’s hire local Katy landscapers and grass contractors to take care of our competition fields and, if necessary, address the issue of non ISD organizational use of these facilities,” Raymond said. “I believe we can provide these organizations with an acceptable alternative to our competition fields at far less cost, if the Board so desires.”
During last Wednesday’s work study meeting, trustees approved spending $5,226,431 to install the artificial turf at the competition football fields at Katy, Taylor, Mayde Creek, Cinco Ranch, Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes High Schools. All currently have natural grass surfaces.
The approval came on a 6-0 vote. Board President Eric Duhon was not present for the work study session.
In recommending the move, Superintendent Alton Frailey said heavy usage made it impossible to adequately maintain the natural turf.
“Due to high volume of usage, the existing natural grass competition fields at the high schools are not able to be maintained as an effective or safe playing surface. It is being recommended that a synthetic turf surface be installed complete with associated sub-base and drainage systems on the competition football fields at the high school campuses,” Frailey told trustees in making the recommendation.
Trustees took no action on Raymond’s request for reconsideration.
By: John Pape on Tue, Apr 21, 2009
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