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Bronxville School Board To Continue Discussing Hayes Field Proposals

EASTCHESTER, N.Y. – Following the public outcry of students and parents in favor of installing a synthetic playing surface at Hayes Field, the Bronxville Board of Education announced it will spend part of its upcoming budget workshop to discuss the issue.

The Hayes Field proposal will once again be on the table in Bronxville.

The Hayes Field proposal will once again be on the table in Bronxville.

Photo Credit: Bronxville Board of Education
The Bronxville School District is reconsidering the proposed synthetic playing surface at Hayes Field.

The Bronxville School District is reconsidering the proposed synthetic playing surface at Hayes Field.

Photo Credit: Bronxville Board of Education
The Bronxville Board of Education is set to discuss the proposal on Saturday.

The Bronxville Board of Education is set to discuss the proposal on Saturday.

Photo Credit: File

In February, Bronxville voters overwhelmingly approved a flood-mitigation plan in a special election, but narrowly rejected the second proposal, which would have included an additional turf playing surface at Hayes Field, helping to alleviate village-wide concerns about field space for sports.

Following the special election – the flood mitigation proposal passed overwhelmingly, 868-55, with the field being rejected in a narrow 470-452 vote – parents and students called on the school board to consider a second vote, claiming that the synthetic field is the best option for both the present and future.

In response, board members said that due to the passion of the public, a portion of the scheduled Saturday, March 7 budget workshop would be dedicated to discussing the issue.

“At our last Board of Education meeting, students, parents and residents called on the Board to resubmit the synthetic-turf proposal to voters,” members said in a joint statement. “The public participation portion of the meeting was largely devoted to the chronic need for additional field space.”

“The Board took no position, expressing its interest in analyzing the referendum results and listening to all of the comments from the public.”

If the board is to consider a new vote, a resolution must be passed and the district officials will have 45 days to disseminate various pieces of information to the public, including parking and landscaping in the area.

According to Board of Education President Denise Tormey, the members are still in the process of evaluating the election results before moving forward. She cited “the need to identify which issues are still under consideration and to clarify what is included in the flood mitigation project and what still needs to be addressed.”

“We have asked our administrative team and professional consultants to reexamine the available data about usage and cost; adjust plans to accommodate the construction schedule for the flood-mitigation project and analyze the short and long term impact on Hayes Field.”

 

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