Can school board pull a rabbit from its hat?
When thinking about ways to upgrade our public school facilities, and enhance our community in general, some appealing improvements were brought before the school board last week.
School board members heard proposals for a new multi-sport fieldhouse, massive renovations to Warren County Middle School’s auditorium, along with improvements to Nunley Stadium.
These are three worthwhile, much-needed and long-overdue projects. It would be more than welcome if school board members could wave a magic wand and begin all three projects immediately.
Unfortunately, this is the real world and not some land of make believe. While it may be easy to compile a wish list of projects, finding the money to pay for those projects is a constant battle. Finding such funds during gloomy economic times that still appear a long way from sunshine makes matters worse. But that shouldn’t stop Warren countians from dreaming and trying to find ways to get these projects under way.
Sprucing up Nunley Stadium is certainly long overdue. Over the years, the stadium has gradually fallen apart before our very eyes.
In its current condition, Nunley Stadium is not the image Warren County wants to convey to our residents and out-of-town guests. For all the football fans who travel from across the Midstate to see their football teams play the Pioneers, we can only hope they get a chance to see more of our beautiful county than not-so-picturesque Nunley Stadium. It could sure use a facelift, but then where does the money come from?
The same can be said for the middle school auditorium, once a top-notch facility when it was complete in the 1950s. Now, decades later, the lighting and sound system are poor quality. But their condition could be applauded when compared to the auditorium seats, many of which don’t have backs, or armrests, and can no longer be used.
The auditorium, it should be noted, is used by the entire community for special events. It’s not strictly for school-sponsored activities.
A multi-sport fieldhouse, which would benefit a number of the high school athletic teams, would also be a nice touch. But with a $400,000 price tag, funding such a project is easier said than done.
While raising taxes for such projects would certainly meet with opposition, and the Standard is not endorsing such a move, there’s no denying all three projects would be well-received. Perhaps, with proper approval, the school board could dip into its reserve fund. Or maybe donations could be requested at the same time football tickets are sold, both in advance and at the gate.
Those are just two suggestions in what could be a long list of ideas school officials explore. These are three projects which should be greeted with open arms because they would enhance our community and our quality of life.
Picking up the tab is the painful part.