ROARING SPRING — In a 7 to 2 vote, Spring Cove School Board members rejected a proposal for repairs to the Central High School track, instead opting to purchase a kit that will be used by maintenance staff to repair the track in-house.

The repair proposal — conducted by ATT Sports — was for $5,170, while the kit will cost $135.

Board members Troy Wright and Samantha Snowberger were the only votes in favor of hiring ATT Sports.

The decision comes after an ongoing discussion about resurfacing the Central running track, which is due for repair. The entire project would cost the district $230,000 but last 10 years. The board has yet to make a decision concerning the total project.

Building and grounds supervisor Aaron Barnes said before the meeting that there are cracks on the track’s pole vault area, which is about 5 square feet. With track season approaching, the district needed to address the issue even without coming to a conclusion about the rest of the track renovations.

During the discussion Monday, board member Erika Smith passed out a five-page packet including a product description of the red running track repair kit with primer listed on Trassig.com’s website and an additional page of insulation directions.

Ordering the materials online will cost $135, not including shipping fees.

After reading the step-by-step guide with the kit, Smith said, “I think (ATT Sports’) bid is astronomical.”

“I think our maintenance guys can do this for $135 plus shipping,” she said, “and save us some significant change.”

After board President Amy Acker-Knisely asked for Barnes’ input, he said he was in correspondence with ATT Sports, who said a repair kit would not be sufficient because of pole pressure.

“So there’s a lot of potential for ripping it more,” he said. “The repair they’re going to do is a professional repair.”

Superintendent Betsy Baker said the total was more than what they were expecting, so they considered repairing the spot themselves. Finding out that the repair was larger than expected, she said they brought the decision to the board.

“Obviously, you want to have something you can rely on because you don’t want to be in a dangerous situation,” she said. “So, they’re not comfortable about patching this.”

“This would not create a dangerous situation,” Erika Smith said, mentioning that student runners are planting in the box instead of running over it.

She said she trusts the Spring Cove maintenance crew to do the job properly.

“I watched the video; it’s a pretty easy repair,” she said. “I think we could save a lot of money by doing it ourselves.”

Barnes wants to ensure that the repair is done right, which is why he originally contacted ATT Sports.

Smith said she read the provided information, and ATT Sports would be using the same materials and process to repair the track, which is also accessible through a YouTube video link.

Snowberger questioned if the board should invite trained professionals to do the job rather than relying on YouTube videos.

Considering the $5,000 price tag, Acker-Knisely asked if Barnes would be comfortable with his maintenance crew repairing the track themselves.

“Spend $135, you do it, and if it doesn’t come out right, then we’re spending the $5,000,” she said.

“We can give it a shot,” he said.

Acker-Knisely said the board trusts their maintenance crew, as Barnes knows what he is capable of repairing.

“We have faith in the folks who work for us, in any avenue,” she said.

Solicitor Jennifer Dambeck said the board is liable for safety during repairs and student activity. The immunity of the school district will be waived, and the board will be held fully responsible if student injury occurs on the property.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.