NCSD board approves turf replacement project

The turf at H.A. Lynn Stadium accommodating Newton Community School District football, soccer and track teams will be replaced.

The NCSD Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of approving the turf replacement construction document during its Monday night meeting. Rachelle Hines of FRK Architects + Engineers was not present at the meeting to discuss the changes. NCSD Superintendent Bob Callaghan spoke in her stead.

In addition to replacing the turf, Callaghan said the school district will also acquire a new turf sweeper and turf groomer so maintenance crews can properly tend to the facilities and agitate the fibers to better condition the field.

“What’s occurred now is our field is ripping and is beyond repair,” Callaghan added.

NCSD School Board President Robyn Friedman asked Callaghan if this project was included in the district’s five-year plan. The superintendent confirmed the project may have been a part of the district’s plan one or two years ago.

Last week, Callaghan said the turf was first installed in 2008 and should be replaced every eight to 10 years.

“That turf is tearing, and it’s been through 10 or 11 winters,” Callaghan said. “So it’s meant to be replaced.”

In 2008, Newton Daily News reported the NCSD Board of Education approved a $1.4 million bid from the Elder Corporation to renovate the field, which included a new track and the current synthetic field turf used today.

In other action Monday, the school board:

• Voted to approve the $152,475 purchase of 475 ACER C738T Chromebooks for student use during the 2019-2020 school year.

• Voted to approve the approximately $112,151 purchase of 110 Dell Latittude 5590 laptops for staff use through the subsequent school years.

• Set a sale date to sell furnishings from the old Berg Middle School. The sale will begin 8 a.m. June 15 at the Meisner Center.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com