The Carroll ISD board of trustees approved an unplanned project to further improve the indoor practice field at Carroll Senior High School during its March 25 meeting. Athletic Director Steve Keasler requested the turf be replaced with the same upgraded turf material that was recently installed at other CISD schools.

The indoor facility was already slated for renovations as part of the $208 million bond program approved in 2017, according to meeting documents. These renovations include adding a layer of padding underneath the turf to provide some cushioning for athletes when practicing.

It would require pulling back the current turf and placing it back down after the padding has been installed, according to meeting documents. But there is a safety concern that once the turf is laid back down, it will not be in the same condition, especially because it has aged since it was first installed six years ago. It may interfere with the footing of athletes playing there.

The field is used every day by athletes, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Matt Miller said. The turf was also pulled back up about three years ago.

This unexpected project would cost over $136,000 that was not budgeted. There is still 5-6 years left in the life cycle of the current turf, but replacing it now would save the district money in the long run, Miller said.

Because work crews will already be doing work at the facility, the district only needs to pay for materials. If administrators wait until the end of the turf’s life cycle, costs could more than double to $280,000-$300,000 because the district will then have to pay for labor and materials, Miller said.

Trustee Matt Bryant said it would be better to replace it if there is even a possibility that athletes may slip.

Board President Sheri Mills and Vice President Michelle Moore expressed dissenting opinions.

The current turf is still safe for players and under warranty with Hellas Construction Company; furthermore, there are no funds currently allocated for replacing it, Mills said.

“That’s [Hellas’s] job—they have to make it safe,” Mills said. “We did not budget for this. We don’t have $136,000 earmarked for this one. That’s two teachers’ salaries. That’s a different line item where I would like to see this money go.”

The board ultimately approved of replacing the turf with upgraded material with a 5-2 vote. It will be paid for using bond funds.

Although it was not originally a line item in the bond program, the district can use cost savings from other projects toward turf replacement, Miller said. The timeline for this and related renovations will span from May to August.