Huntingdon School Board Hears Report on Major Sports Complex, Key District Matters

HUNTINGDON (March 18) — The Huntingdon School Board convened on Wednesday and received an update on a proposed new tennis and pickleball complex, addressed school calendar adjustments, and celebrated student achievements. The meeting highlighted the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing facilities and fostering student success.

A major point of discussion was the proposed tennis and pickleball complex at Huntingdon High School. This ambitious project, the culmination of a nine-year effort, will feature six tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, along with restrooms, storage, bleachers, a pavilion, lighting, fencing, and a parking lot. Dr. Jonathan Kee, director of schools, described it as a “premier site community venue.” The estimated $2 million project, utilizing top-of-the-line post-tensioned concrete, is largely funded by a 75/25 LPRF grant, for which the Town of Huntingdon will apply. The local match of approximately $500,000 is partially covered by a $300,000 commitment from the Wright Charitable Trust Fund, and the district is seeking an ECD grant to cover the remaining balance. The project aims for a spring/summer 2027 groundbreaking, with an estimated 90-day construction period.

If approved, it will be open to the community, have storage areas, and lighting for the adjacent band practice field.

In other key decisions, the board approved Dr. Kee’s recommendation not to make up two school days lost due to the girls’ basketball tournament. This will be managed by utilizing one existing stockpile day and a second from ten days expected to be regained via a state waiver for the January winter storm. “I contend it was well worth it,” stated Dr. Lee Carter, chairman of the board, reflecting on the successful tournament

Additionally, the board approved the purchase of another 2026 Ford Explorer for $38,144, funded by an Innovative School Model grant set to expire this year. This will be the fourth Explorer.

Students from Huntingdon High School shared their experiences at the TSBA-supported SCOPE conference in Nashville, where they participated in a mock school board meeting and debate training. Topics debated included substituting club sports for PE requirements, world language as a graduation requirement, mandatory extracurricular participation, and substituting ACT for End of Class testing.

Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE) conference brings together 9th-12th-grade students from across the state to discuss current topics in education. Participants will explore education issues through mock school board meetings, group discussions, and debates with their peers. These events are designed to help students understand how school boards operate. Attendees from HHS were Madison Dill, Katherine Meggs, Lila Reed, and Paige Costello.

District updates included celebrations of multiple state championships in Mustang football and middle school girls’ basketball, as well as the high school boys’ basketball team reaching substate for the first time in approximately 27 years.

The baseball press box is nearing completion, with brickwork finished and further enhancements planned. The district will host the Carroll County Special Olympics on Friday, April 10, and seven high school students will be recognized at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce ACT luncheon. The highly successful JAG program also received commendation, with student Brady Rogers as a candidate for the National JAG officer position.

Long-time teacher Ginger Taylor thanked members of the board for their continued support of the students at HSSD.

The board also approved renewing its TSBA membership for $4,032 and online policy maintenance for $3,000.

The next scheduled board meeting is set for April 15 at 5 p.m., with a Zoom option available for members who may be out of town.