Residents question multi-milliondollar outdoor facilities project EAST MARLBOROUGH >>

A planned multi-million outdoor facilities project in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is being challenged by some residents who claim it will put an undue financial burden on the district’s taxpayers.

District officials hired a consulting firm to review existing outdoor facilities and make recommendations. Some of those recommendations indicate fields used for varsity softball, soccer, field hockey, middle school football and girls’ lacrosse are over established standards but sustainable with high levels of maintenance.

In addition, the existing synthetic turn and synthetic track should receive new surfaces within the next two years. The consulting firm reported that the greenhouse program could be expanded with potential community-based gardening. The report states that the upper portion of land at the Unionville High School campus could be utilized for expanded stormwater management facilities serving new synthetic turf tennis, and parking areas.

“I don’t see a need for this project,” said Jack Greenwood of East Marlborough, who was a health and physical education teacher in the Kennett School District for 40 years and who coached numerous sports. “Your long-range plan is based on constant spending.”

Greenwood said the outdoor facilities project, which could cost in excess of $10 million, would put a financial strain on the district’s seniors on a fixed income.

“I have seen families move into the district, demand more services and facilities, and then sell their house and move out of the district when their kids move out of school,” he said. “And their reason for leving is the taxes are too high. I and others who want to live here are left to pay for all the frills that were deemed necessary. Because of constantly increasing taxes, I have seen farmers sell to developers rather than continue farming. I believe in public education, but I think I have paid my fair share.”

Said Lisa Chismire of Chadds Ford: “I have heard of nothing that really justifies the need for such an extraordinary expenditure. We seem to be working at this backward.”

Mary Stookey of Chadds Ford questioned the board’s transparency and said he submitted a Right to Know request with the district concerning the facilities plan for public outdoor users.

“The public deserves to know how much we are spending to support outside groups,” Stookey said. “The community deserves to know who pays for our facilities. I have made two Right to Know Requests and the district says they don’t have (the answers).

Is this amateur hour in financial management? The district’s response is irresponsible. They are considering a multi-million-dollar investment for outdoor facilities. A large portion is for outside groups. The public deserves to know how much they pay. It’s the public’s money.”

Stookey estimated outside groups account for 50 percent of field use for some facility use.

Jeff Hellrung, board president, said Stookey’s questions were good ones, and more information would be forthcoming shortly.

Vic Dupuis, board member, said there will be more debate on the subject, and promised a vote will not be taken until discussions come to an end.

“I think we are still trying to figure things out,” Dupuis said.

In the past four years, the district has spent millions of dollars on its facilities, including $611,000 on a new roof at Hillendale Elementary, $2.7 million to renovate the Patton Middle School main office, $1.7 million to renovate the Patton Middle School auditorium and $2.3 million to replace the HVAC units at Patton Middle School.

A draft of the long range plan will be reviewed in November. A community conversation on the topic will take place Dec. 10 at the Unionville High School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

“I have heard of nothing that really justifies the need for such an extraordinary expenditure. We seem to be working at this backward.” — Lisa Chismire