The West Prairie District 103 school board met Wednesday, February 25, in regular session. Among the action items approved were initial steps in creating an athletic field (for the 8-man football program) at the Colchester campus, using available grant funds for inclusive playground equipment at the South Elementary, and the formation of a Superintendent Athletic Co-op Committee.
Considerable time was devoted to discussion about creating an athletic football field. Board member Steve Kitch expressed concern with the number of students in the football program both at present and in the future. West Prairie co-ops the 8-man football program with Southeastern School District. How feasible would the project be in light of possible declining student participation? Compounding the issue is that a suitable field at Colchester would not be ready by fall even if work began immediately. At present, West Prairie has five home games scheduled, but circumstances could necessitate switching to all away games if deconstruction of the present field begins soon.
Board president Scott Vogler noted that even if the football program declines in participation, the athletic field would still be available for PE classes, for a possible soccer program, and even for a flag-football program, which would be available for girls as well since IHSA has added girls flag football as a sanctioned sport.
In separate votes, the board approved allocating a total of $114,000 for the following projects in creating an athletic field for football purposes: leveling, back filling, and seeding of the proposed area; a relocation of the scoreboard from the Sciota campus; purchase of wooden poles and LED field lights, along with installation; trenching for electrical service; purchase and installation of goals posts and padding. A 250-amp service had already been approved for the area. The plan is to continue using portable restroom units and to utilize a mobile food service for concessions. The proposed field would be approximately in the same location as previously planned behind the school building.
Discussion also turned to what to do with the Sciota campus, whether all are part of it could be sold. Presently, the 103 District still allocates funds for maintaining parts of the building, which is essentially empty, for the present football field, and for mowing of the 20+ acre campus.
