HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 School Board voted to make more than $1.2 million worth of improvements to Don Michael Field during Monday’s meeting. The vote was 6-1 in favor of installing artificial turf with new technology to keep the field cooler and drain better. The new technology is also safer in regard to impact protection with the playing surface. It also includes replacing the eight-lane track, which was last done in 2009.

The proposals come two weeks after the board approved new natural turf for the soccer field and one baseball practice field at the 308 sports complex on a split 4-3 vote. The cost of that project will be more than $350,000.

It’s also on the heels of the district spending $501,000 to light the soccer field and Don Michael Field. If approved, the district will have spent more than $1.8 million on athletic facilities since the start of the calendar year.

Board member Greg Meredith told the board he was against spending this kind of money. “I’d like to spend my money in the classroom,” Meredith said. He cast the single no vote.

If all goes well, the project would begin in November and be completed by the end of February.