AUBURN - The Auburn Enlarged City School District's postponed capital project will likely remain off the table for another year, and the idea of installing artificial turf at Holland Stadium is being dropped altogether.

The board of education's Long Range Planning Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the fate of its near $15.7 million capital project put on hold in May after voters first defeated the proposed 2008-09 school budget.

The board intended to put before voters in June a five-year project dealing with school infrastructure, energy efficiency and technology, and renovations to Holland Stadium, including the installation of synthetic turf.

While committee members all agreed the district and its schools are in need of upgrades, specifically dealing with health, safety and technology, there was consensus that turf was not an option at this juncture.

While Superintendent J.D. Pabis said a school district operating under a state-mandated contingency budget is not barred from taking up a capital project, committee Chair and board Vice President Sam Giangreco said it was unlikely that voters will see a proposed project come before them during this upcoming academic year.

“We can't go to the public and say, 'We want more money,'” he said.

“Right now we have to lay low.”

“I think it's safe to say the turf issue is dead,” Giangreco said, “and we probably have to return the money to people who contributed.”

Local businesses, community members, non-profits and state leaders donated $150,000 to cover the local share of installing turf.

“Maybe sometime in the future when things get better we can look at it, but for now I think we have to live with the way things are,” he added.

Pabis said the checks were recently deposited into a non-interest bearing trust and agency account, and all of the money will be returned to the donator with a letter expressing gratitude and appreciation for the contribution.

Funds promised by state Sen. Michael Nozzolio, Assemblyman Gary Finch and the Stardust Foundation of Central New York in the amount of $50,000 each were contingent upon voter approval and were specifically earmarked for turf, Pabis said. The district never received that money, and will not have access to it for other items.

In the meantime, the committee will look over the items with a priority one designation with a fine tooth comb, determining if each item is absolutely necessary at this point in time.

Committee member Michael Stearns said the district invested money in the past decade to keep its schools current, and it has to continue with that to keep the schools operational and prevent necessary improvements from piling up. But at the same time, Stearns said he is cognizant of these tough economic times.

“It's clear to me that this town in particular is struggling,” he said. “The community feels like its struggling. We need to add as little pressure upon them as possible.”

Committee member Karol Soules also said she recognizes the economic struggle facing many community members, but it is vitally important to entice people to move to Auburn and into the district. One way to do that is by improving technology within the classroom.

“I really don't want to 'x' through that and say 'It's a luxury we can't afford,'” she said. “It's something our students need.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net