BROWNSTOWN — The company that installed the artificial turf on the football field at Blevins Stadium at Brownstown Central High School back in 2018 is now in the process of installing a similar material on the high school baseball diamond.

Sprinturf, a South Carolina-based company, was awarded the $1,869,000 bid through a process involving the Wilson Education Service Center in Charlestown, Assistant Superintendent Jade Peters said.

The center, established in 1977, receives state bids to procure items and ensure compliance with regulations for member school corporations, he added.

Peters later told The Tribune that project will be funded through a 2023 general obligation bond obtained by the corporation.

That bond was procured within the existing tax rate, he said.

Peters said the upgrades to the baseball diamond will make the high school acceptable to serve as host site for the Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournament.

The project includes the installation of a 20-foot tall netting in right field to make up for the short foul line.

“It will truly be a unique touch for our field,” Peters said. “With our current stadium seating and now adding the turf, it will be a top-notch facility for our student athletes.”

Workers recently removed the fence from the outfield in preparation for grade work for the field.

Sprinturf holds a patent on an all-rubber infill artificial turf system, which company officials say is the safest type of infill to have on a field and is most like a pristine, natural grass feel. The company has installed turf on football, soccer and baseball fields since 2009,

Emily Engelking, engagement director at Jackson County United Way, gave the board information about the Rock’n Ready program to distribute basic school supplies to students in the county.

“It was a really successful year for us,” she said. “We were able to serve a little over 1,200 kids and counting. We say “and counting” because we try to provide supplies throughout the year and as needed by any of the schools in Jackson County.”

Engelking said there was a decrease of about 15% in registrations this year.

“Not really sure why,” she said. “I guess these things happen, but that’s what we’re kind of hoping we can stock that throughout the year as can may need some things. And we had a huge number of volunteers turn out. About 250 volunteers turned out for this program.”

United Way raised $20,000 this year and collected a little over 14,000 items this year, Engelking said.

In Brownstown, 141 students registered, down from 195 a year ago, she said.

” … and 17 walk-ins,” Engelking said. “So we were anticipating quite a few walk-ins.”

There also were 23 volunteers during the distribution in Brownstown.

She said in 2025, the United Way hopes to plan the distribution in Brownstown to also include a vendor fair so there are more community resources available. There also may be a vaccine clinic other offerings similar to wants being done in Seymour.

“It’s a program that we know is growing even though it may not looks like it may be decreasing at this time,” Engelking said.

In other matters, the principals of each school introduced the new staff members. The new staff members are the high school were Shannon Barger, social studies; Jessica Wischmeier, guidance counselor; and Kristina Yoho, library media and data specialists, while the new staff members are the middle school were Rhonna Lawalin, special education, and Angela Mangum, special education. Special education teacher Laysha McKinney is the only new staff member at the elementary school.

In a related matter, trustees approved the appointment of Yoho as the high school social studies academic team coach.