District Administrator's Corner

On April 5, the River Valley School District will be asking our citizens to vote on a three-year, non-recurring operational referendum.  This is not to build a new wing on a building, update existing classrooms, or add new positions to our staff.  It is not about more.  This referendum will allow us to continue our current services, classes, and class sizes without making cuts. So, we are hearing this question: How can you fund a synthetic turf field when you are going to referendum? The short answer is this:  Referendum dollars will not be used to fund this project.   Please read on. In 2019, the district began planning to resurface the track.  The estimated cost to resurface the track at that time was $500,000.  During the planning process, we found drainage issues at the surface and under the asphalt base of the track.  The district went out for bid in the winter of 2020-2021 to have the drainage issues resolved and the track resurfaced.  The low bid for the project was $900,000.   Based on the amount, the district did not accept the bid and went back to the drawing board.  All options for the track and field were put on the table in the spring of 2021 and discussions focused on: • Staying within our current maintenance budget • Addressing drainage issues • Expanded use of field (soccer, cheer, band, youth) • Return on investment and long-term investment With the base cost for necessary repairs (grass field surface) at $900,000, the district investigated the cost of a synthetic turf surface.  The cost for a synthetic turf surface, along with resolving drainage issues and resurfacing the track, was estimated at $1,500,000.   At the end of the summer of 2021, the district decided to move forward with a synthetic turf field surface, which could only be done with private donations, while also repairing the drainage issues and restoring the track surface.  The primary reasons for this were: • Fundraising efforts allow the district to spend less ($750,000) on synthetic turf than the base grass field cost ($900,000).   -Fewer district funds will be spent on this project with synthetic turf than if we would have proceeded with a grass field restoration.  • Allows the district to stay within our current maintenance budget. -$500,000 is part of the current maintenance budget. -$250,000 will be used from the sale of the Arena School Forest. *Note that this revenue must be utilized for buildings and grounds upgrades. -$750,000 will come from private donations • Drainage issues will be resolved. • Synthetic turf will allow the field to be used approximately five times more than it is currently being used.   -Current field is used about 50 times per year, while synthetic turf will allow for about 250 uses per year. *Increased use for soccer, marching band, cheer/dance team, and youth sports (football and soccer). • The return on investment is a combination of the cost and use of the stadium. -Grass surface:  $900,000 and about 50 uses per year -Synthetic turf surface:  $1,500,000 and about 250 uses per year The additional cost for a synthetic turf field is being covered by private donations and actually allows the use of fewer district funds to upgrade to a synthetic turf field.  The synthetic turf field allows five times more use than a grass field and for multiple student groups and activities. Again, the April referendum will not fund this project.  The April referendum will allow us to continue the quality services we are proud to provide to the families of the River Valley School District.   “If everyone moves forward together, then success takes care of itself.” - Henry Ford