AUBURN -- Tempers flared and voices were raised as Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education members discussed Holland Stadium's role in a proposed capital project Monday.
The board is proposing an estimated $14.9 million capital project of which $3.5 million would be earmarked for renovations at Holland Stadium, including concrete work, lighting, the installation of synthetic turf, enhancing the walking track and additional parking.
The board's Long Range Planning Committee held a work session Monday to answer any questions board members had on the capital plan as well as go through the list of identified priorities and discern whether those priorities were appropriate or needed to be reviewed.
Board member Joe Leogrande voiced strong objections to the inclusion of Holland Stadium in the proposed capital project that is expected to go before voters in May.
"I think this is a frivolous expense," he said. "I think this is a waste of money."
Board member Bill Andre responded by asking Leogrande what exactly he was objecting to.
"Why does Auburn, why does this community, why does the varsity sports teams that use it, why do my kids use it, why should I sit there and watch this stuff," Andre asked. "Why do I not deserve that Holland Stadium be what it should be? I don't understand."
Playing the role of the mediator, Susan Scheuerman said, "I think I understand the merit of the question. I don't believe it's a 'this or that, either it's in or it's out.' I think there's room for discussion what we as a board consider valuable to our students."
For more, read The Citizen Tuesday
The board's Long Range Planning Committee held a work session Monday to answer any questions board members had on the capital plan as well as go through the list of identified priorities and discern whether those priorities were appropriate or needed to be reviewed.
Board member Joe Leogrande voiced strong objections to the inclusion of Holland Stadium in the proposed capital project that is expected to go before voters in May.
"I think this is a frivolous expense," he said. "I think this is a waste of money."
Board member Bill Andre responded by asking Leogrande what exactly he was objecting to.
"Why does Auburn, why does this community, why does the varsity sports teams that use it, why do my kids use it, why should I sit there and watch this stuff," Andre asked. "Why do I not deserve that Holland Stadium be what it should be? I don't understand."
Playing the role of the mediator, Susan Scheuerman said, "I think I understand the merit of the question. I don't believe it's a 'this or that, either it's in or it's out.' I think there's room for discussion what we as a board consider valuable to our students."
For more, read The Citizen Tuesday
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 12 comment(s)
suzee wrote on Jan 22, 2008 12:23 PM:
stick wrote on Jan 22, 2008 9:32 AM:
vic wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:38 AM:
forrest wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:53 AM:
Hillbilly wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:34 AM:
tome8689 wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:17 AM:
vinmeister1 wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:58 AM:
These kids are struggling today and the atitudes are half the problem. The administratrs come down on the teachers and the teachers God bless appear helpless at times. Why don't you give some of that money to the teachers?
I honestly think Auburn has lost its focus and that is why I want to pull my children out of the Auburn Schools. "
cheeko wrote on Jan 22, 2008 2:15 AM:
karl L wrote on Jan 22, 2008 1:35 AM:
It's amazing that some people have such a vested interest in this that they don't see that! SPEND THE MONEY "IN" SCHOOL! "
anonymous wrote on Jan 22, 2008 12:35 AM:
The Truth wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:43 PM:
Synthetic turf has given athletes staph infections. Some have died from the infection. Moving forward on synthetic turf with this liability known is a lawsuit just waiting to happen.
Everyone talks about going green ... stick with the grass not the petroleum based synthetic turf. "
cm wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:24 PM: