School board meeting

August 7
School board meeting.
Pollution in $50M budget
LET EARTH BREATHE / Teapot Tempest

Kurt Daims tried to clarify that the directors should have climate crisis on their own agenda, because it should be on the minds of officials at the highest levels of government, and that it does not conform to the approved resolution if they only have a committee.

There was a lengthy presentation by the principal, a coach, and a student of the high school where the $1M pollutant ground cover is proposed to cover the football field. The proponents pleaded for the astroturf on the grounds that it is urgently needed so the players have the same surface as teams in other districts that have astroturf, that it would provide for more athletics for girls, that the field was currently in poor condition, and that the evidence of health risks was anecdotal. There was little discussion of environmental concerns. Tim Maciel cited research projects and institutions that indicated health risks. Henry Zaccini said the money should be spent on teacher salaries. Daims rebutted the assumption that intermural sports served a legitimate educational need compared to intra-mural sports, and blamed expenditures like the astroturf for the recent Act 46 redistricting. School director David Schoales mentioned that enrollment in the football team was declining, and might not justify the expense. The board voted to consider natural grass proposal. This is a big set-back for the athletic supporters.