The Board of Education narrowly defeated a proposal to add lights to Underhill Field, and use nearly $100,000 in surplus budget money to do it. On a 4-4 vote, the board failed to reach a majoirty to approve the plan, with would have cost a total of $187,000.

With Board member Lynne Crawford absent, the remaining members split on the proposal to fund the lighting and approve the bids. A split vote is the same as a no vote in this case. Board president Mark Gleason was among the no votes, along with members Richard Laine, Jennifer Payne-Parrish and Andrea Wren-Hardin.

"I am a huge supporter of athletics," Gleason said during the meeting, but later noted some of the community concerns. "I rally feel like this is a public confidence issue. If we lose public confidence in the budget process, there could be huge repercussions."

Wren-Hardin also noted financial concerns: "I am having palpatations thinking about the budget for next year."

The proposal would have provided $98,000 in budget surplus fund for the lighting at Underhill, along with some $45,000 raised through alumni donations and a $50,000 savings from the original project budget due to a lower-than-expected bid.

"This is a one-time, long-term benefit," Board Member Beth Daugherty said prior to voting for the plan. The lighting had been originally part of last year's Underhill renovation, which included a new artificial turf field and track. But it had been put off due to budget concerns.

District officials had proposed adding the lights now to offset some of the need for field use that is being created with the temporary shutdown of De Hart Field for its renovation. "As superintendent, I think that this is good for kids," Superintendent Brian Osborne said. "I have interacted with a lot of kids whose primary motivation to do well in school is to stay eligible."

Prior to the board vote, numeorus members of the public spoke out both in favor of the lights and against them. Among the opponents who spoke were Mayor Vic De Luca, Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal and former school board president David Frazer.

Board Member Laine also suggested raising more private funds to offset the cost or getting some sponsorship. He even offered to donate $500 of his own money. But, at the moment, the plan is on hold.