Lenoir City BOE approves synthet

Lenoir City Board of Education approved Thursday a series of projects at Lenoir City High School, including installation of artificial turf for the high school football and baseball fields.

The board unanimously approved a change order to the project begun last summer to expand the cafeteria and remodel bathrooms.

Jeanne Barker, director of schools, said contractors were having trouble sourcing glazed brick that was to be used in the bathrooms. The change involves using steel studs and tile at an additional cost of just over $13,000 and about a two-week delay. The project is due to be completed in February.

The board also unanimously approved a bid to warranty student Chromebooks. A model number change necessitated the switch. Vivacity Technology will provide the warranty service at a cost of $27 a year per unit.

The board also approved the final proposal for a project to install synthetic turf on the high school football and baseball fields at a cost of about $931,726.

The project is scheduled to begin after graduation in May and continue during the summer. The football field will be completed first and should be ready for the fall football season.

Will Ferguson, president of Baseline Sports Construction of Knoxville, told the board that the synthetic turf, made by Shaw, can be modified to add logos or designs, including advertising. He said the ads or logos, big enough to be seen from the stands, would be printed by the turf maker and glued into cutouts on the field.

Barker said she has reason to believe there will be interest in selling promotional opportunities to local businesses and organizations. There is also hope donations will help defray the costs, she said.

“We’re working toward a plan for the community to donate,” Barker said. “Those details will be worked out in the spring.”

BOE member Glen McNish said the synthetic turf project, along with the addition of playing fields for girls softball and fields at the middle schools, were highly requested by principals. He said the synthetic fields are easier to maintain than traditional grass.

During comments, Barker announced that because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, teachers would not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A federal mandate that was overturned had required that all businesses over 100 employees were required to have employees vaccinated.

Barker also announced that an in-service day scheduled for Feb. 21 would be extended another day to Feb. 22. Students will not have to attend classes those two days.

Jeanie Mowery, former business manager for the schools, was honored by the board with a plaque displaying an article from the News-Herald announcing her retirement in October 2021. Mowery worked 46 years for the schools.