MONROE - Despite objections by two members, the Monroe school board last week approved work bids by Athletic Field Services and Jeff Voegeli Landscaping to resurface the Monroe High School track at a cost of about $145,700.
Board president Bob Erb and treasurer Brian Keith voted against the measure, citing a survey from last year that showed community members did not see the track as a high priority. The survey led the board to leave the track project off of the referendum addressing maintenance project funding, which voters passed in November.
No referendum funds will be used for the track; instead, funding will come from the district's long-term maintenance budget. The project was included in the budget at $180,000 over two years.
The project has been delayed for several years, and Keith said he thinks it's still the wrong time.
But delaying again could mean a higher cost when the district finally does resurface the track, said Tom Rufenacht, the district's building and grounds director. He estimated it would cost about $15,000 more if the board waited, noting that it would be at least two years before they could return to it.
Vice president Mary Berger, clerk Michael Boehme, deputy clerk Amy Bazley and members Dan Bartholf, Les Bieneman, Rich Deprez and Jim Plourde voted in favor of accepting the bids and moving forward with the project.
Athletic Field Services will be paid $130,500 to replace the track's rubber surface, while Jeff Voegeli Landscaping will get about $15,200 for concrete and landscape work. Rufenacht said both companies offered the same price they gave in 2015 before the board decided to delay the project due to budget concerns.
Board president Bob Erb and treasurer Brian Keith voted against the measure, citing a survey from last year that showed community members did not see the track as a high priority. The survey led the board to leave the track project off of the referendum addressing maintenance project funding, which voters passed in November.
No referendum funds will be used for the track; instead, funding will come from the district's long-term maintenance budget. The project was included in the budget at $180,000 over two years.
The project has been delayed for several years, and Keith said he thinks it's still the wrong time.
But delaying again could mean a higher cost when the district finally does resurface the track, said Tom Rufenacht, the district's building and grounds director. He estimated it would cost about $15,000 more if the board waited, noting that it would be at least two years before they could return to it.
Vice president Mary Berger, clerk Michael Boehme, deputy clerk Amy Bazley and members Dan Bartholf, Les Bieneman, Rich Deprez and Jim Plourde voted in favor of accepting the bids and moving forward with the project.
Athletic Field Services will be paid $130,500 to replace the track's rubber surface, while Jeff Voegeli Landscaping will get about $15,200 for concrete and landscape work. Rufenacht said both companies offered the same price they gave in 2015 before the board decided to delay the project due to budget concerns.