Dist. 207 candidates disagree on new Maine South field

Maine Township High School District 207 candidates disagree on the board's recent decision to spend $1.2 million on a new artificial turf field for Maine South High School.

Some said that with the faltering economy now isn't the time for such an expenditure, while those in support said the field is safer and will pay for itself in 10 years.

There are six candidates competing for four 4-year terms. Incumbents Edward Mueller, Eric Leys and Marijo Bustos are running against challengers Eldon Burk, Jerry Kellogg and Margaret McGrath. Board member Jeffery Bergen is not running for re-election.

Mueller and Leys support the artificial turf decision and said more students will be able to use the new field. Use of the current field is restricted because it was built over a landfill and sod doesn't grow well.

"We've been studying this issue for a couple of years and there are just so many advantages," Mueller said. "For example, everyone will be able to use the AstroTurf field - gym classes, junior varsity teams, even the band."

However Kellogg, a funeral director, disagreed with Mueller's reasoning.

"How come we are not putting that $1.2 million toward learning?" Kellogg said. "Maine South just won a state football championship. Is Maine East going to get one now? Is Maine West going to get one the year after that?"

Leys, 29, graduated from Maine West High School and has been on the board since he was 21 years old. He's running for his third term.

"I'm a Maine West guy and to say we're some how rewarding Maine South for winning a championship is wrong," he said. "Maine South does have the highest number of people participating in football though, although I'd trade that in for a second to bring the school's 94 percent attendance rate up to 100 percent."

Bustos voted against installing the field. Bustos said AstroTurf may be safer, but she questioned the timing of the decision, especially because it would've been cheaper to install AstroTurf at West or East.

"If it's a test site, I don't know why we didn't pick another school," she said, referring to the plan to wait to see how the turf works out before deciding whether it should be added at Maine East and West. "I just don't know if now is the best time."

The district recently spent $7.5 million to upgrade piping and make other renovations at Maine East High School, Leys added. And at Maine West, the desire is not for artificial turf, but for a field house, as it's the only one of the three schools lacking one, he and Burk said.

McGrath agreed with Leys, while Burk was more on Bustos' side.

"I'm not sure if West or East people are clamoring for new field, but my concern is with the cost," said Burk, who is a retired teacher. "Now is not the right time. People are losing their jobs."

Maine South's artificial turf field will be installed this summer and be ready for the fall. The District 207 school board will discuss installing lights at the new field in April.