Board of Education Approves New Tennis Courts for Howell North and Howell Central

Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central will be getting new tennis courts.

meetings , the Francis Howell Board of Education finally voted on the fate of the tennis courts. By a vote of 4-3, with Board Directors Mark Lafata, Marty Hoditis and Cynthia Bice voting no, the Board of Education approved a costly rebuild to the existing courts.

“We’re spending pretty close to 900,000 on some tennis courts,” Lafata said. “… This does not educate kids. That’s the business we’re in. … Shame on us.”

The issue of what to do with the courts at Howell North and Howell Central had been brewing for a few weeks now. The courts, six at North and eight at Central, are cracked and showing signs of damage.

“There are surface cracks on both of the courts, none that will prohibit play, but they are very noticeable,” said Kevin Supple, District Chief Financial Officer.

To repair the cracks, the administration came up with a plan, known as Option A. The option would “hire Vee Jay Cement to build six post-tension concrete tennis courts at Francis Howell North High School using the allocated operating capital budget, for a not to exceed amount of $256,362.” The plan was to fix Howell North this year and tackle Howell Central next year.

Lafata said the project was too costly and wanted an alternative. The administration came back with five more. After checking out the courts, Lafata said he didn’t see the cracks as a big issue.

“I’m not Billie Jean King or Jimmy Connors, but I could probably play on them just fine,” he said.

Lafata requested the district go with Option E: “to hire Byrne & Jones to overlay the existing courts at Francis Howell Central High School and Francis Howell North High School, using operating capital budget, for a not to exceed amount of $109,000 at FH Central HS and $126,766 at FH North HS.”

The option would just resurface the courts. Supple said a resurfacing only is guaranteed only five years of life maximum before the cracks would return.

Board Treasurer Mike Hoehn offered a different option, Option B: “I move to hire Vee Jay Cement to build eight post-tension concrete tennis courts at both Francis Howell North High School and Francis Howell Central High School, using bond issue funds, for a not to exceed amount of $324,927 at FH Central HS and $363,289 at FH North HS.”

Hoehn’s made his motion based on what he said was long-term planning. While the most costly option presented, the post-tension courts are supposed to last up to 30 years.

“It makes more sense to spend the money now then to spend the money every six years,” he said.

Under Option B, both Howell North and Howell Central would have eight courts. MSHSAA rules require a school that wants to host postseason play to have eight courts, an added bonus Hoehn said.

Hoehn said that with construction costs on the rise, it would be smart to lock in a cheaper price now to get a 30-year court.

“Concrete can be playable for a long time,” Board Vice President Steve Johnson said.

The problem with Option B was the price. The most money budgeted under the capital budget was $256,362. To make the post-tension courts work, the district would have to use bond money to pay for the project. Hoehn proposed using the capital budget money that was allocated and having the difference covered by the bond issue.

After an hour-plus debate on the issue, the Board finally voted. President Mike Sommer, Hoehn, Director Amy McEvoy and Johnson all voted in favor of Option B. Bice, Lafata and Hoditis voted against the plan. With the 4-3 vote, the BOE approved a modified Option B that would use both capital and bond funs to pay for the project.