By:Marnie Kunz
The group raising money for the installation of a synthetic athletic field at Hillsborough High School postponed its presentation to the board and public, originally scheduled for Monday evening in Hillsborough High School’s auditorium.
"We don’t know yet when they will reschedule for but it will be sometime after early next week," Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Robert Gulick said Wednesday. "The group wanted to have a complete package of information to present to the board and they concluded at the last minute that there was some information that they still needed."
The proposal for a synthetic athletic turf field has been a heated issue in Hillsborough for the past three years. In the previous two years, an artificial field was included in the district’s budget plan, and each time was voted down by residents.
This year, a private group of parents and residents have decided to raise $250,000 for the field to replace the existing grass field at Hillsborough High School’s Noonan Field.
The proponents point to reduced maintenance costs, better safety and field drainage and increased playtime on the field as major benefits of installing artificial turf.
Those opposing the field at board meetings have expressed concern over noise levels and crowding caused by additional sporting games.
When the fund-raising group decides to present the donation to the board, the board will be able to take action and accept or reject the gift at the designated special meeting, Dr. Gulick said. The special meeting will be open to the public and its comments.
"I think the board will have sufficient information to decide on the gift after the presenters and the public speak," school board member Lou Possemato said. "The board has received athletic gifts in the past, including gymnastic equipment and the pole barn weight room, but the turf field will be quite a gift as far as magnitude."
