Opponents of the million-dollar makeover for the Collinsville high school athletic field are hoping tomorrow will bring a reversal of fortunes for their cause.
The school board last month approved $1.3 million to install an artificial turf field and a new track, scoreboard and bleachers. Because of a possible Open Meetings Act violation, the board will voting on the measure again at Monday's board meeting.
Twin Echo Elementary PTA President Kristen Poshard-Lech has been leading the opposition group, which includes parents and residents. She also brought the Open Meetings Act issue to the district's attention (an updated agenda for last month's meeting was not posted to the district's website).
Poshard-Lech is opposed to spending money for a new football field when she says Twin Echo is in need of more classrooms. The school uses a portable trailer as a breakout reading lab and recently converted its library into a classroom.
"Twin Echo has some of the best test scores in the district," said Poshard-Lech, a parent of three. "The message that the district wants to send to the children at Twin Echo is: Keep those test scores up, but we're not going to give you a library. ... Instead we're going to resurface the football field so the 2 percent who play football can get an extra pat on the back."
As one group of Collinsville parents work to stop a proposal for a new high school athletic field, others say they support the measure and think it would be good for the community.
"It's not like you need it or we need it — everybody needs the money," said retired Collinsville high school physical education teacher Harry Lang. "But what other 'classroom' can you build for $1 million dollars to get a bigger bang for your buck?"
Lang said a new turf field would accommodate physical education classes in inclement weather and be safer for athletic teams. He said the elementary school students use the field for a Junior Olympics competition.
"The plus is, you got your elementary, junior high and high school all benefiting from the upgrade and the citizens benefit from the track area," said Lang, who retired from the district in 2004.
His view finds support at Twin Echo, also, despite Poshard-Lech's arguments. Former Twin Echo PTA vice president Corinne Eversmann said the need for an athletic field is "more pressing" than the needs at Twin Echo.
"Several parents for several years have been waiting a long time for this, and they shouldn't be denied," said Eversmann, who has two daughters at Twin Echo. She said Twin Echo is being unfairly portrayed, and has increased test scores and an interactive white board in every classroom.
Past Twin Echo PTA president Kim Jackson said Twin Echo has seen improvements, such as remodeling and addition of air conditioning, over the years. She also said she supports the proposal.
"I have a child that is in three different sports who will eventually be in the high school," said Jackson. "I think any improvements in the district as a whole would be great."
Contact reporter Ramona C. Sanders at 618-344-0264, ext. 136
