(STURGIS) - The Sturgis Board of Education received information for discussion that could lead to a future bond proposal.
During Monday's meeting, Sturgis Superintendent Dr. Art Ebert shared some more information based on the community survey that was given following the failed bond proposal in May. Ebert explains to the Board what the School District heard from the public.
Ebert says the overall message was clear. The community supports investing in the schools and keeping facilities in good condition, but several proposed athletic improvements negatively affected support for the broader proposal. (LISTEN ABOVE).
While the public gave limited support for artificial turf at the football, baseball and softball facilities, they were more receptive to practical improvements such as addressing drainage and irrigation, fixing roofs, and reseeding natural-grass fields.
One of the questions asked by the Board was on the Sturgis Community Pool, to which Ebert gave the following answer. Ebert says there was more support from the community to build a new pool than to renovate the existing facility. He says over the last few weeks there have been several conversations with Steven Crone about different options.
Ebert says the plan is to provide the Board of Education with refined options to consider, which are based on their own needs based assessments in alignment community feedback. That includes such areas as Academic Focused; Primary Infrastructure Needs; Athletic Field Improvements; Track and Field; the Football and Soccer Stadiums and Athletic Lighting.
Ebert says during a future Board of Education meeting he will bring numbers so that the Board can make their decisions on where they want to do the work.