Stadium's disrepair spurs debate over replacement

The board also filled vacant coaching positions.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The board of education said it wants a professional assessment of 70-year-old Wildcat Football Stadium to determine if it's worth repairing.
The 4,000-seat stadium, built in 1936, has become an eyesore, according to David Barone, board president.
Further, while the shoring has been repaired in recent years, the board wants to know if the stadium is safe and plans to ask health officials and engineers to inspect the facility, Dean Burns, a board member said at Tuesday's board meeting.
William Polis, a city resident who heads a stadium committee, said the group wants an evaluation to be done. In the meantime, he urged the board to make short-term fixes to the facility before the start of the football season.
Worse than expected
Barone admitted board members who toured the facility found conditions worse than anticipated. However, he assured residents that the rumor that the stadium had been condemned is not true.
On the other hand, board member Dennis Spisak said the board needs to know the true condition of the stadium, including a list of needed improvements and options if it has to be replaced.
In other action, the board said it is developing policy that will establish minimum standards for all school organizations, such as band and athletic teams, that go off-campus.
The board filled several supplemental contracts, which included: girls track, assistant coach, Randolph Jones; boys golf, head coach, shared by William and Robert Cammack; cheerleading, middle school coach, Stephanie Baringer; choir director, Angela Russo; girls soccer club coach, Sam W. Clawson.
Shelley Stenglein was hired as a third-grade teacher.