Quay County Sun - Serving the High Plains

The superintendent of Tucumcari schools has instructed an architectural firm to draw up estimates to redevelop its baseball and softball fields as part of a possible bond election in November.

Aaron McKinney, superintendent of the Tucumcari school district, told the board of education during its March 18 meeting that Greer Stafford/SJCF Architecture of Albuquerque should present plans — including artist’s renderings — and estimates for the project next month.

McKinney said a proposed bond issue of up to $3 million for the Nov. 5 election likely would cover the costs of the ball-field reconstruction. The bond issue would not lead to a tax increase, he said.

He said the school district is working on partnering with the city on the project, including a possible line of unlimited, treated sewer water to irrigate ball fields and other district properties for as little as $2,000 for five years.

“It may pay off in the future,” McKinney said of the sewer-water hookup, as current irrigation with city water amounts to a substantial cost to the district.

McKinney said plans still are being formulated for the new baseball and softball fields, but one change will be reorienting home plate to the northeast instead of the current southeast. He said he will “put some ideas out there” to the public for input before proceeding.

McKinney said if voters approve the bond issue, construction would be 12 to 18 months, with it beginning after the end of high-school baseball and softball seasons. The hope would be the fields would be playable by the beginning of the following season.

In other business, the board:

• Approved donation of $50 from Dave Kirk to the Tucumcari Elementary School’s Nyoka Miramba Band to purchase instruments and music and help defray the cost of travel.

• Approved the donation of $100 from NuStar Logistics LP to be used for STEM class projects and supplies during the rest of the school year.

• Approved permission for the district’s business manager to make routine budget adjustments through 2019.

• Approved policies and procedures for per-pupil expenditures.