The Columbia Board of Education gave the green light last night to a plan to lay artificial turf on the football fields at Rock Bridge and Hickman high schools by the start of next school year.

Board members awarded a bid to Fieldturf of Richmond for $1.4 million. Fieldturf offered a $18,739 discount to the district if work could begin by April 1, making the company the low bidder. Had the board not approved the plan last night, the discount would not have been available, and the low bidder would have been Landscapes Unlimited LLC of Lincoln, Neb.

Board members touted the artificial turf as being good for football teams as well as soccer teams, gym classes and marching bands.

Board member Darin Preis voted against awarding the bid, suggesting that the proposal be tabled until the high schools raise their share of the funds.

Hickman boosters have raised $165,652, have $120,250 in commitments and are about $108,800 short of their goal.

Rock Bridge boosters have met their goal and have $296,142 on hand. Rock Bridge boosters have been raising money for school improvement projects for about three years.

The school board committed $250,000 to each field project. That amount is based on the $25,000 per year savings in maintenance costs they hope to realize from the artificial turf over a 10-year period. Additional dollars are allocated for each school to pay for related drainage work.

The board agreed that the district would use capital reserves to front the cost at Hickman until the booster clubs raise the needed funds.

Before the vote, board members Kerry Crist and Karla DeSpain joined Preis in an attempt to require Hickman boosters to provide a letter of commitment assuring the board that the money would be paid back to the district. The other four board members defeated their request.

School district Athletic Director Bruce Whitesides expressed confidence that the Hickman boosters would come up with the funds. "I feel comfortable telling you they’re diligently working toward the goal," he said. "They may have it tonight when they get home. I really believe they’ll have it in by August, for sure."

"Why go ahead with a major project like this on a promise?" Preis asked. "From my perspective, I don’t think this is a good way to spend district dollars."

Steve Calloway, who is among five candidates seeking two seats on the board April 4, asked whether Rock Bridge boosters could help raise money for Hickman’s share of the project.

Diane Rubenstein of the Rock Bridge Bruins Booster Club said it would be difficult for the group to raise funds for Hickman, but they would be willing to share their fundraising secrets.