So much more information and analysis is required before any commitment of funding is made, not only by the BOE, but by the township. We know what was spent on 2 fields in years past, but not what the actual cost of 2 fields, in undetermined locations, would be today.

What is required for multi-millions in new taxpayer expenditures, which is the source for the total funding regardless of which entities budget it comes from?

1. A comprehensive Needs Analysis, aka, what problem are we solving?
2. Complete Cost/Benefit Analysis of all options to satisfy an identified need.
3. A prioritization of funding for a project(s) of this magnitude in relation to all other funding needs within the township.

Until these things are done, and include public input, we have the cart before the horse. Suggesting that "Construction is expected to begin in the summertime" is not only premature, but irresponsible.

Something like this is clearly a "nice to have", but so are lots of other things.

So our tc "leaders" have raided the library funds and we will build turf fields. Our "leaders" at the boe should put this money to work in the classroom. Overcrowded classes, reduction in course offerings, teaching positions cut. Get your priorities straight, it is about education not playing games.

Completely agree Will. That has all been studied and completed through shared services and public input.. The Township and the BOE know exactly how this will impact budgets today and down the line. In fact, the Township changed the ordinance for fee permitting in anticipation of this capital project. Next week when the Township rolls out the municipal budget and the capital budget it will all be on display. I can't comment on the budget prior to introduction but can assure your points have been heavily vetted and have not been hastily put together.

I think it's great that in a depression we can blow money on this. I guess my taxes in Middletown aren't high enough.

Yes Tony and your raising of fee permits has trinkled down to families not being able to afford to have their kids play rec sports or participate in rec programming because the increased costs. As well as limiting the access rec programs have to the fields. So programs cost more and kids get less. St. Marys soccer has put in a lot of money to Thorne and yet Navesink school has not had grass for at least the last 10 years how about fixing what is broken first. It is wonderful that you can raise money by charging excessive fees, which we as parents now have to pay, then if we approve the BOE budget we pay more, if we don't then you raise taxes to cover that budget. How many ways can you screw the families of Middletown???

Why do kids need "high quality athletic fields"? This is insane. So many people in trouble from Sandy and we need new fields. I remember the fields we had when i was a kid were just fine. no one ever said i wish we had "high quality athletic fields".

Agree with Tom. The money belongs in the classroom not in the dirt. Good grief, were are the BOE's priorities?

the idea i hope is to gradually transition all school fields to turf which in the long run will save $$$ on maintence hopefully this is a long term thoughtful process.

Hopesix -
The Board of Education has a responsibility to EDUCATE the children NOT TO provide safe and efficient facilities to its student athletes. There is absolutely no obligation to provide sports programs.

A commenter on here suggested our school system is one of the best in the country. I do not understand such an assertion. NJ Monthly ranks South the 105th best HS in the state and North 128th. I don't necessary agree with NJ Monthy's methodology but I'm not sure a new one would drastically alter those rankings.

College admissions experts almost universally agree scores on AP exams are the best indicator of future college success. Yet dozens of towns with similar socio-economic standards as Middletown see more success on AP exams then Middletown does. In a perfect economic environment money could be dedicated to all issues. But currently this is of greater importance to me then the status of our fields.

Judging Middletown High schools on SAT scores alone is absurd. Does anyone factor in that two of the best high schools in the country are in Middletown (Mast and Communications)? Clearly any Middletown student who goes there is going to have a high SAT score and isn't in North or South. Also, Middletown has one of the best all boys high schools in CBA. If these kids went to MTS or MTN the average score would be much higher. When you have other great schools in your back yard, you have to expect that you wont get all of the best SAT test takers in your school. The better metric is how many of these kids are going to college an earning degrees from North and South.

As for the fields, kudos to the BOE and TC leadership. This is great news not only for my kids but all kids who play in Middletown.

What is the percentage that any North or South High School student will become a professional athlete? What is the percentage of North or South High School students that need an excellent education to go on to college or function successfully in today's highly competitive and highly technological job market? A related question is why international test results are showing students in other countries are surpassing American students when it comes to math, science and reading? (In 2010 American students were near the bottom in some categories.)Can we honestly say we need to spend more time, attention, and money on athletic fields? Just sayin.

Yes James, that can be said. They are putting up $250,000 over the next two years, during which their budgets will be for more than $250 million! That is a very small amount in the midst of that spending. Athletics are for more than start athletes (and they should be). Having good, quality fields available for all of the kids in Middletown is the key to many kids presents and futures. While I am a little concerned that the first one goes to the wealthy side of town, I trust that upgrades will be made for ALL of Middletown's children.

Just questions we need to answer for ourselves and vote appropriately. Not sure the focus can solely be on this additional $250,000 (which could fund at least one more teacher) when a very good chuck of the entire budget is for sports. Which would help the students more in moving on to college or the job market - astroturf or another teacher to reduce overcrowding? Astroturf or better computers? Astroturf or programs that use interactive programs using tablets (yes, even iPads)? Another undercover baseball practice arena or an update of lab space? Is a good education the answer to drugs? Joe is your point that all non-athletes are bound to be drug addicts? The answers are yours.

Very silly to say all non-athletes will be drug addicts. Are you saying that sports should be eliminated and the money used for the latest gadgets? Got news for you - these schools already have state of the art everything. Here's the point. Sports are just a part of the overall education. Certainly academics are first and foremost, but why does it have to be all or nothing? Can't the schools maintain what has been a traditional education for over 100 years? Academics, sports, the school band, school newspapers, school theatre - all part of a well-rounded education. If you want to complain about the obscene practice of funding education through property taxes, well, that's another story. But don't begrudge maintaining the basics of an education system that has been tried and proven for generations.

While we all know that sports have been a part of the school system for years these economic times are unique in most of our lifetimes. Just because it was always done that way doesn't mean it should continue. Money needs to be spent sparingly on important things to increase the opportunities for these kids to get into good schools to have any chance to get a job when they're done - NOT ON TURF FIELDS. People are tapped out. They are desperately struggling to keep or rebuild their homes.

So are you saying we should eliminate sports from our schools?

Nice how Thompson & Thorne's students will have a new field for their sports, but Bayshore gets the dirt field. If Bayshore does not get a field, why should those of us in this area have our taxes used for fields our kids won't get to use?