By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Installation of artificial turf at Henry County’s Patriot Stadium is moving swiftly and the field will be ready for Graduation 2021.
Henry County Schools’ District Maintenance Supervisor John Akers provided an update at Thursday night’s school board meeting and said Norwood Construction is working hard on the project. “They’ve been hauling dirt all day most every day. Yesterday, we had one truck there loading with two waiting in line to get loaded and that was all day.”
The south end of the field is ‘at grade’, Akers said, and is ready for installation of the inside curb “which they may be able to do by next week.”
Kyle Norwood is supervising the project and the crews have be at work into the evening hours and most days, depending on weather.
The project involves installation of the turf, fixing the drainage problems on the field and installation of a four-lane running track.
Groundbreaking for the project was held in early February. Both Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins and Akers said students are eager to hold their graduation on the field. “It won’t be the lush green grass yet, but we’ll make it work,” Dr. watkins said. “Kyle Norwood is doing a fabulous job of trying to get everything done.”
In other business:
–Board President Jill Coker was given the go-ahead to begin negotiations with Dr. Watkins for a four-year contract extension. “I think she’s doing an outstanding job,” Coker said, and board members agreed. She said she will report back on the progress at next month’s meeting.
–Board members approved COVID bonus payments to school employees from state funds “for going above and beyond” for the district during the past year.
–Dr. Watkins provided an update on the board scholarships which will be awarded to rising juniors and seniors in the field of education who plan to return to Henry County to teach. The plan now is to award two $2,000 scholarships, she said.
Thursday night’s meeting was held both in person and over Zoom.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.