The Croswell-Lexington School Board met this past Monday, debating plans for possible playground equipment purchases prior to Fall 2024.
Playground equipment would be installed at both Frostick Elementary and the Middle School. Meyer Elementary and Geiger Elementary previously received updated equipment, due to providing child care/latchkey programs. It has been over a decade since play structures were replaced at Geiger, resulting in safety concerns due to rust accumulation.
“We’ve done some maintenance to try and prolong [it], but it’s beyond its life. At this point, it needs to come out just for safety . . . at the Middle School, if you’ve been out back you can see that there’s a need for playground equipment. The kids that are here are 5th through 8th grade, and we need to provide more for them,” Superintendent Collette Moody explained.
The overall cost of the equipment is expected to total $450,000 with funding being provided via one of the district’s project funds, which covers any improvements made to the district, rather than the general fund. One board member expressed concerns about the purchase, citing questions about usage.
“I don’t see our 7th and 8th graders using it much . . . I think if we were to redo a new basketball court with new concrete and with new rims out there, I think that–especially on the boy’s level–you’re gonna get a lot of use out of that. I have no problem with Frostick, Ms. Moody. I will a hundred percent back that purchase, no problem. The middle school one I think we need to tweak,” Trustee John Maxey said.
“Saying the 7th and 8th graders aren’t going to use that equipment, well maybe the majority won’t, but that’s still fifty percent of the students. We have younger kids who need something to do when they go outside besides sit around,” Secretary Amie Stillson replied. “Maybe they don’t want to shoot a basketball, maybe they want to swing or climb on something. They have to have the option. They’re still kids.”
Any decision to award the purchase to GameTime was ultimately tabled with plans to revisit it at next month’s meeting.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Media Center.
