Superintendent Mark Dockins addressed concerns over capital projects currently underway at Uintah High School during Tuesday’s Uintah School Board meeting. “Five years ago, when we remodeled the high school, the plans called for a full renovation of the auditorium and an overhaul of the baseball, softball and soccer fields,” Dockins said. “Both projects were shelved at the time due to budget constraints with the understanding that they would be completed at a future date. That future date is now.” The auditorium renovations are meant to bring the seats and ramp system into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and also includes a new stage curtain, fly system, additional lighting, and new storage area needed by the entire school. Dockins emphasized that the Uintah Drama Department consistently sends students to state competition and events utilize the auditorium throughout the year. Dockins also addressed upgrades to the high school soccer, baseball, and softball fields. “This year we received a request for an additional full-time groundskeeper to help keep up with the workload of maintaining all the fields,” he said. “That position would cost the district about $80,000 per year in salary, benefits and retirement. Over 20 years, that adds up to $1.6 million, which is more than the cost to install the artificial turf.” The switch to artificial turf eliminates the need for the additional groundskeeper. It also cuts water use at the high school, prolongs the amount of time student-athletes can use the fields, and is expected to reduce the number of games that have to be canceled, shared Dockins. On May 9th, the school board unanimously approved the approximate $6 million dollar joint capital project to update the high school auditorium as well as add turf to the athletic fields. Despite the beliefs of naysayers, the funds used on capital projects cannot, by law, be used for teacher salaries and benefits.
