Fairless board approves next phase of stadium renovations

Work will soon begin on the next phase of renovations at Brideweser Stadium on the Fairless High School campus. At its Jan. 8 meeting, the board approved the work to ensure the stadium is safe and usable for the community and guests.

The first phase was completed in 2024 and included replacing the wood in the home grandstands with aluminum, widening the access bridge, adding an ADA ramp and seating, and paving the area leading from the grandstand to the concession stand and restrooms. The work was completed using permanent improvement funds saved for stadium renovations.

The board entered an agreement with Beaver Construction to manage the project, which is expected to be completed in late spring. The renovations will be funded with permanent improvement dollars saved for the project.

The board also entered agreements with Musco Sports Lighting LLC and Dant Clayton Corp. for the stadium bleachers and lighting project.

“The visitors grandstand needed attention. It made more sense, fiscally, to replace the wood rot on the bleachers,” Superintendent Mike Hearn said. “We tested the poles and rather than renovate the bleachers we agreed to replace them. It is a safety issue.” He said the visitor-side stands were originally brought from the former Brewster and Navarre schools in the 1940s or 1950s.

“The next phase will include replacing the visitors grandstands and stadium lighting, which was installed in 1984 and is the original lighting,” Hearn said. “The total cost of removing the old poles, installing new concrete and steel poles, and installing new fixtures is about $435,000.”

Hearn said the visitor bleachers have a substantial amount of wood rot, are not ADA compliant and have code compliance issues. He said it is more economical to demolish the existing stands and replace them with new, pre-engineered, all-aluminum stands. The cost to demolish the old stands, install a new concrete base and install the new stands is about $380,000.

The board administered the oaths of office to new board members Catherine Soehnlen and Jordan Starcher.

The board approved Justin Henry as board president and Ken Killian as vice president. The board will meet the third Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the high school.

The board agreed members will receive $125 per month, regardless of how many meetings are held, and must attend at least one meeting per month to be compensated.

The board accepted the resignation of Rene Bloom, cook, effective Dec. 30, 2025.

The board issued Logan Barkan a one-year temporary certified substitute teacher contract as needed for the 2025-26 school year.

The board approved a one-year supplemental contract to non-district teacher Andrew Highben for reserve baseball.

The board approved a $20,000 service fund to pay expenses actually incurred in the performance of board duties or on behalf of the district.

The board approved 11 standing resolutions.

The board approved a College Credit Plus memorandum of understanding with Kent State University for the 2026-27 school year.

The board designated Treasurer Mark Phillips as the authorized representative to attend public records training Feb. 4 or Feb. 10 on behalf of board members.

In other business, the board recognized members in honor of board appreciation month and presented certificates.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 6:15 p.m. at Fairless High School, 800 Seventh St. SE, Brewster.