TJ Athletic Boosters Are Back
Synthetic turf athletic field and track at Frederick High School, a part of the new construction.
photo by Gillian Grozier
Several advocates who want to replace grass with synthetic turf on the athletic fields at Thomas Johnson High School were back before the Board of Education on Sept. 27. The group that has raised $500,000 with a $50,000 grant from the state, in-kind donations from a local contractor and $200,000 in cash is asking Frederick County Public Schools to bridge the financial gap by contributing the remaining $200,000 required to fund the synthetic turf project as part of the Educational Funding Master Plan that must be submitted to the state by October 4. $1.3 million to replace the TJ High School track is already a part of the EFMP.
The TJ Athletic Club Boosters first made their request two weeks ago and have been looking for a response from the Board. Student member, Will Anderson suggested TJ’s entire athletic budgeting process should be re-examined.
“We have a lot of work to do in this area,” commented Board member Colleen Cusimano. She was in favor of finding the additional funds. Dan Plombon, a past president of the TJ Athletic Booster Club worried that the project could lose state funding and the contractor may no longer be available with further delays.
More affluent communities such as Urbana, Linganore, and Oakdale had successfully raised funds for synthetic turf playing fields. Frederick High School has a new synthetic turf athletic field as part of new construction. At TJ High School, 40% of students receive free and reduced meals, an indication that fundraising is difficult. Middletown HS carries debt because their synthetic turf donor did not come through, and other, less affluent high schools have grass. At TJ High School, the athletic budget comes from athletic fees and the gate. Unlike high schools with synthetic turf, a budget of $1,800 is required to paint lines on the grass.
The BOE discussed at some length ways to come up with the needed $200,000 from the EFMP. Plombon noted he had already approached the county’s Parks & Recreation Department for some kind of financing with a reciprocal use arrangement but had been turned down. FCPS athletic projects are funded through a new construction budget and local requests. COO Paul Lebo said it was also possible to separate the synthetic turf project from the TJ track upgrade but that the county cannot finance all projects and does so strictly in the order in which they are submitted by FCPS.
A motion to refer the TJ High School synthetic turf project to a work study workshop passed 6 to 1. Lebo noted that multiple systemic projects competed with the turf project for EFMP funds, such as new roofs, lighting, or boiler replacement. He did agree to reassess the condition of the TJ High School track. Board members Joy Schaefer and Michael Bunitsky proposed an MS capacity project to be added to the EFMP. They noted that enrollment became “a moving target” where development was anticipated. Placeholder selection should be for six years out and follow a redistricting effort.
President Brad Young pointed out that the EFMP “is one hundred per cent dependent on the county and state,” which currently proposes to underwrite 60% of costs for agreed to projects. The percentage is not finalized at this time. The EFMP passed by six votes in favor, plus the student Board member.
