Due to convenience, many schools are switching over to turf fields. Out of the three high schools in Francis Howell’s school District, Howell was the first school to get a turf field while North and Central still have grass fields. Howell got their turf field about a month ago because construction on the school interfered with practice routines. At Howell, things such as a cafeteria, library, and class rooms are being worked on. Players were being transported to Hollenbeck middle school just so they could practice because of this reconstruction. Even though the reason for them to get a turf field was understandable, the fair thing for the District to do is to make sure that the two other schools have one so everything is equal.

The weather can play a deciding role in any sports season which is exactly what happened for the fall sports here at North; many games were canceled or even switched to schools with turf fields. For example, North’s last football game of the season was relocated to Howell, and students here at North didn’t get to enjoy it in their own stadium. The Knightpride marching band and Knightline dance teamhad to perform on the track a couple of times because the field was unusable. Instead of the hassle of rescheduling games at other schools or canceling them, the District should just give everyone a turf field.

Even though it is unfair that Howell is the only school in the District with a turf field, the District doesn’t have the money right now to pay for the other two schools to get one. If the District would have thought about equality when this was coming down the pipeline and when Proposition B was being passed, we wouldn’t have this problem. Since Howell already has a turf fieldand the District isn’t able to afford two more, they should find another way to help North and Central. Turf fields
cost around $645,000, but since they have been on the market for a while now, the costs are dropping. If the district would take the lead and help raise the money, it would be a good thing for all the schools. To make sure that the District does not have to take all of the weight of raising the money, they could coordinate with different organizations outside of school or find groups of people in school willing to donate. The money is a lot to raise, but if they are willing to consider options
to help raise the money, it would make the decision to get a turf field for North and Central a lot easier.

The right thing to do is obvious. As we are living in a world where everything is based on equality, it is only right if the District follows these same guidelines. The more the District is willing to help, the closer North and Central will come to having a turf field of their own and be on the same playing field with Howell.