Pleas for new Algonquin track win out

Algonquin Middle School student Rianna Hansen plans to go out for the track team in the spring.

There's only one problem: the track she will run on badly needs repair.

"The track has ruts, and that prevents me from doing my best," Hansen said. "I have experienced dust in my eyes and my mouth -- and it doesn't taste good."

Hansen and her classmates at the middle school will finally get some relief.

The District 300 school board voted Monday to replace the ailing track ahead of schedule. The project, originally set for the summer of 2009, now could be completed in the next five weeks -- in time for the spring season.

The board's vote means the district can move forward with the bid process for replacing the track, at an estimated cost of $309,856.

The entire school board and district administration were not behind the decision to replace the track now, but the arguments of middle school parents and students ultimately won out.

"The track is an embarrassment to this district," board President Joe Stevens said. "No other school's track is in this condition."

The vote was 5-2, with board members Mary Warren and Karen Roeckner in the minority. Both said the track should be replaced -- when the money is available and according to the original schedule.

"Yes, it needs to be replaced, and it needs to be done in the timeframe that was established by the community," Warren said.

Superintendent Ken Arndt advised the board to vote against replacing the track now, saying the move would open the floodgates for similar requests from other schools that want their projects moved up.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates said the district will have a one-time state revenue source in 2008 that the district can use to finance the track repairs.

The parents who spoke at Monday's meeting said it was about time the district replaced the track.

"Our kids deserve this track," Algonquin Middle School parent Mary Spiegel said. "AMS has waited a long time to have a track."