April 25, 2020

Mallory Herrmann
[email protected]

The Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of Education narrowly approved the contract with ATG Sports Industries last week. The project includes milling and overlays for asphalt surfaces at all three of the district’s high schools, as well as a 10-year warranty, 10-year annual maintenance plan, allowance for turf graphics and track surfacing for javelin runways.

The district had budgeted $3 million for the project, with hopes that it would be funded by the 2020 bond issue. Amid the shelter-in-place orders for the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, the April election was postponed to June – and it could see further delays. Without the bond’s passage, the work would be paid for out of the district’s capital fund.

A district team interviewed six companies as part of the RFP (request for proposal) process for the project. In the administration’s recommendation to award the contract to ATG, they said the ATG’s Ramturf FF52 Split Film Polyethylene Turf met the district’s overall expectations for durability, safety and cost.

But the board was split on whether or not to approve the project in the middle of a health crisis and uncertainty over the bond issue and impending recession.

Wesley Metz, the district’s chief financial officer, told the board that the district should try to stick to their facilities plan as best as they can. Even in trying times, he said, maintenance will still be required.

But Board Member Judy Hedrick voiced strong concerns that approving a $2.2 million expense before asking the community for a $224 million bond issue could be hard to explain.

The board asked themselves whether putting off the work for crumbling tracks and turf would put students’ safety at risk or if waiting a year could mean more expensive construction costs.

“It’s worth it this year,” Board Member Ryan Murdock said, citing the “sheer number of kids” who would benefit.

Board Member Clark disagreed, noting that some of the district’s buildings have more pressing maintenance issues than athletic facilities.

The board ultimately decided to move forward with the work with a 4–3 vote. Board Members Clark, Mike Allen and Dennis Smith voted no.

Kyle Gorrell, director of facilities, said that a pre-construction meeting had already been set for the following week. He expects work to be completed in time for the fall semester.

All board members were present via Zoom video conference for their Apr. 16 session.