District outlines position on synthetic fields

In letters and legal documents, the Hastings School District and Board of Education defended its choice of an artificial turf product for two athletic fields at the Burke Estate. 

Responding to a legal petition filed by residents challenging the district’s contract for the material to be used, Schools Superintendent William McKersie sent an email to the community on June 3 explaining that the project was going forward, school board president Alex Dal Piaz signed an affidavit, and the district’s legal representation provided an affirmation.

Last year, voters approved a $38.5 million capital bond that was broken up into three propositions. The third centered on replacing two of the grass fields at the Burke Estate with a synthetic multipurpose field and a synthetic softball field. Proposition three was approved by a vote of 1,440–1,369.