Public Rejects Additional Funding for Pierson Synthetic Turf Field By Wide Margin

SAG HARBOR, NY — The public has spoken, and voted by a wide margin to reject additional funding for a proposed synthetic turf field at Pierson Middle/High School

A final tally of Wednesday's votes indicated that the Sag Harbor Union Free School District's capital reserve proposition was rejected 1016 to 135.

“I want to thank the Sag Harbor community for participating in the voting process,” said Superintendent of Schools Katy Graves. “Our community members came out to vote and made their voices heard. Once again, I thank them for taking their time to be part of our school community.”

On Monday, the Sag Harbor Board of Education will meet to approve a Feb. 15, 2017 vote to redirect the funds to a grass options. The Feb. 15 vote will ask the Sag Harbor voters’ approval to use the available funds to build a natural grass field at Pierson Middle/High School, as well as other sports projects at Sag Harbor Elementary School.

A week before the public turned out to vote on the proposition, Sag Harbor Schools Superintendent Katy Graves wrote an open letter to residents outlining the details of the plan — and why the decision was made to ask to utilize $365,000 from the capital reserve fund.

Her letter read:

"Dear Sag Harbor Residents,

On December 14, registered voters within the Sag Harbor UFSD will be asked to authorize the Board of Education to 'expend a total amount not to exceed $365,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund' to provide additional funding for the installation of a new synthetic turf field at Pierson Middle/High School. We have provided some fast facts regarding the proposition below.

• In 2013, voters approved the installation of a synthetic turf field with a price tag of $1.62 million. The final vote was 585 to 507.

• In February 2016, the two bids received by the district for the installation of the synthetic turf field were $500,000 and $700,000, higher than the amount of funds authorized by voters.

• In order to close the gap between the original project and the bids, the board decided to reduce the scope of the project and ask voters to supplement the funding of the project with $365,000 from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund. This would not increase property taxes.

• If approved on December 14, the projected cost of installing the synthetic field at Pierson Middle/High School would be an estimated $1,985,000.

• The infill being proposed is crumb rubber from recycled tires that has been coated with acrylic to help reduce the field temperature (CoolFill SBR).

• Concerns have been raised about the safety of recycled tire crumb used in playing fields in the US. Limited studies have not shown an elevated health risk from playing on fields with tire crumb, however, existing studies do not comprehensively evaluate the concerns about health risks from exposure to tire crumb. On February 12, 2016 the US Government launched a multi-agency federal research action plan to study key environmental human health questions. More information can be found at www.epa.gov.

• Currently, many Pierson student-athletes play on synthetic turf fields at neighboring districts. The new synthetic field behind Pierson will be utilized by all Pierson field sports with the exception of varsity baseball. The field will also be used for all physical education classes and recess for Pierson Middle/High School students.

• If the majority of the public votes no to synthetic turf, the funds may be used to install new grass fields at Pierson Middle/High School in summer 2017 and Sag Harbor Elementary School in summer 2018, as well as a multipurpose court at the elementary school.