New Turf field Attracts Athletes and Their Trash

April 23, 2015 by

Littering in and around the new turf stadium was a topic of conversation at the sparsely attended April 15 West Geauga Schools Board of Education meeting.

“It’s shameful our own kids are leaving garbage on the field,” board member Jackie Dottore said. “I’ve brought in Scout troop after Scout troop to clean it up.”

Business Manager Jim Russo agreed.

“It’s a constant problem,” he said. “Most of the activity takes place after school and doesn’t get picked up until the next morning. It’s worse on weekends.”

Dottore disagreed with the last point, stating the garbage she has seen is accumulated and not just from the night before.

She also acknowledged the snow melt contributed to the problem because accumulated trash was caught in the snow drifts and became apparent when the snow melted.

Russo explained the school has three maintenance workers, including a grounds person who picks up trash two times per work day. However, that person has been ill and a substitute has been brought in only a couple of days a week.

“We need better supervision with those kids,” Russo said.

A suggestion was made by the board that the coaches should make sure the athletes take their trash with them.

The school has received at least one letter from a concerned citizen about the garbage.

Cynthia McKnight of Russell Township wrote: “I ran last week on the track and noticed a lot of trash around the fence line near the middle school. I assumed wrongly that the trash would be picked up later that day. I was again there this morning (Monday) and the trash is still there. That is unacceptable in my opinion. The community raised money to build a beautiful turf field and then you let trash surround it. Now that one less field needs to be cut, it should free up someone to pick up the trash. I hope next time I am up there the trash will be gone.”

After not receiving a response within a few days from school officials, McKnight contacted the Chesterland News. She further expressed her disappointment and frustration.

“The lack of attention to this simple matter sends several messages to the community and to our students,” she said. “It minimizes the generosity of the turf committee and those who donated; it reinforces a total lack of accountability — by the teams that leave the trash and/or by the paid staff that could be picking it up; it tells the community that the school administration does not take enough pride in the appearance of the grounds to consistently ensure its upkeep.”

McKnight pointed out that manpower should be more available to pick up trash because the turf field does not require grass cutting.

Other topics discussed included the 2015-16 school calendar, which includes adding a mid-day activity period at the high school that will give students time to participate in a club activity, seek remedial help with schoolwork, or take an advance placement class that requires a longer class period.

The activity period will add 15 minutes to the school day, said Principal Jay Bishop.

Interim Superintendent Michael Nutter said he is working out the details, but believes the high school hours will be 7:25 a.m. to 2:33 p.m. and the middle school will start at 7:35 a.m. He indicated the elementary schools could start at 8:40 a.m. and go until 3:05 p.m.

According to Bishop, high school students have showed an increased interest in AP classes. He said requests for the AP classes are up 17.8 percent. Because of conflicting schedules, he said he is attempting to spread out the AP offerings throughout the day so that as many students as possible can take them.

Enrollment numbers continue to fall, according to Nutter, who said there will be about 40 less students enrolled next year.

As a result, the school is planning to reduce its classified teaching staff by five positions. The details of which positions will be eliminated will be discussed at the next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27.