Valdosta City Schools BOE discusses VHS track and field facility

Sep. 27—VALDOSTA — The Valdosta City Schools' Board of Education had a thorough discussion about its gradual efforts regarding the issue of the Valdosta High School track and field facility.

The discussion was held during the board's work session at Pinvale Elementary School Tuesday evening when board member Warren Lee of District 3 introduced the facilities committee's meeting update.

Director of Facilities Kaci Nobles informed the board that the committee discussed the VHS facility that houses track, soccer and the new flag football teams and what could possibly be done to improve the area. She announced the project was added to the ongoing facilities needs list.

An update and repair to lighting system at the Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, repair to the J.L. Newburn Middle School roof and facilities usage during fiscal year 2023 were also discussed.

Board member David Gilyard of the Superward East made comments highlighting his disappointment with the committee and the overall board's lack of action on addressing the facility issue.

"I'm very disappointed in the facilities committee as far as the track and field. This is not the first time we've heard about the need for our school and our kids. We claim that we love our kids and that we want the very best for them. The school was built in 2015. We spent $82 million... It was insufficient," Gilyard said. "This is Valdosta High. We're supposed to have the very best. But based on our actions, we don't really love our kids. We love football, but we don't love the track and field teams or other teams."

He said this is not the first time the board has heard complaints regarding the facility.

The most recent complaint that Gilyard referred to was made by Cassandra Stokes, a member of the track team's booster club, who raised safety concerns about the concession stand and the lack of adequate restrooms and storage facilities at the board's meeting on Sept. 12.

"We're supposed to be a state facility school, but the track is not a state facility school. There's much upgrades that are needed as far as the triple jump and long jump area, the shot put area. There's a lot that needs to be done to accommodate what needs to be done," she said during the public participation portion of the meeting.

She also voiced concerns about the student athletes not being supported by the district when they need to travel for national track meets.

The "VHS Soccer/Track & Field Building Addition" was placed fifth and as a "long-range" item on the "District Wide Facilities Needs" list. The item did not have a budgeting estimate, funding source or projected completion date.

Gilyard was also disappointed in the not complete details.

The project list shared at the meeting shows VHS Indoor Multi-Purpose facility, VHS Culinary Arts building addition, NMS additional vehicle entrance for athletics events, and new Board of Education office listed before the track and field facility.

Lee, the board member who introduced the committee's update, said although there was no budgeting estimate, funding source or projected completion date that the facility was placed higher in priority.

"When a track meet is being here, that there are facilities we can contact that perhaps we can get mobile buildings in here that will assist in regards to restrooms instead of Porta Potties. We are doing at this time what we can to correct this problem that we have been notified about and that are aware of," Lee said.

Sherwood said the committee approved for Nobles to contact an architect to start the process of planning for the facility.

Other actions

Presentations from Raymond James & Associates, Pinevale Elementary Principal Dr. Tony Burgman and Director of Business Services Kiley Cashwell on the FY23 Year End Budget status report were also heard.

The board unanimously approved the following items during the work session: the adoption of the FY25 budget calendar, S.L. Mason 5th Grade field trip to Atlanta, W.G. Nunn 5th Grade field trip, VHS Chorus field trips to Universal Studios and Dothan, Ala. and the Valdosta Middle Spring Break 2025 Trip to Washington D.C. Board members Brittney Coons-Long and Justin Crenshaw were absent from the votes.

The Valdosta City Schools Board of Education's next scheduled regular session meeting is for Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the district's office located at 1204 Williams St.