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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Score: +1
(3/6/2)
El Dorado County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
El Dorado County Grand Jury 2013-2014 is the Ponderosa High School Football Field Dangerous?
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 7 findings
F1
The cost of replacing the track and football fields with synthetic all-weather materials at El Dorado, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, and Union Mine high schools was $10,018,000.
F2
At Ponderosa high school, the Grand Jury observed two rows of depressions on the football field’s surface running the length of the field. These depressions are located near the middle of the field and parallel to the hash marks.
F3
The other football field installed by the same contractor, Roebbelen Construction, was within speci- fied limits.
F4
Roebbelen representatives stated that the standard variance for artificial turf installation is 1/4” to level. Measurements were taken of the football field’s depressions and it was found that the west hash mark depression has a variance up to 7/8”. The east hash mark depression is slightly less, but still outside of the 1/4” variance in many places.
F5
The Superintendent stated the new field is better than the old grass field and that it would cost too much to fix the depressions. In a follow-up email, the Superintendent wrote that Ponderosa’s foot- ball field is inspected each year by the artificial turf’s company representatives, FieldTurf Company. The FieldTurf Company is aware of the depressions and has indicated that the depressions have not affected the field’s warranty.
F6
A member of the EDUHSD Board stated that the Board was advised of these depressions only after the initiation of this Grand Jury investigation. However, the Grand Jury learned that the district was notified three years ago about the field’s depressions during the installation of artificial turf at Pon- derosa’s football field. At that time mitigation efforts were undertaken to address depressions that developed in the field’s drainage trenches. The mitigation work that was done was to remove the existing crushed rock to a depth of 6” from all drainage trenches and replace it with larger 3/4” crushed angular rock. The construction plans for Ponderosa’s football field showed that the drain- age trenches are 24” in depth.
F7
Ponderosa High School staff indicated that students have tripped while using the field during school hours. EVALUATION OF FINDINGS Measure Q bond monies totaling $10,018,000 were spent for the replacement of the track and football fields at the EDUHSD four high schools. Unfortunately, the depressions in the surface of the Ponderosa football field are a constant reminder to the taxpayers that they are paying for a potentially dangerous football field and nothing has been done to make it right. The Grand Jury is concerned about the field’s condition, as it presents a significant safety and liability issue to the school district and its taxpayers. As time passes, the depth of these depressions in the foot- ball field may increase and create an even larger safety and liability issue.
Recommendations 4
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R1The Grand Jury recommends the EDUHS District arrange a meeting within sixty (60) days from the publication of this report. Representatives from all involved parties are to work out a remediation action plan to fix the field depressions. This meeting should include at least the following parties: • Roebbelen Construction, Project General Contractor • Beales & Alliance, Project Architects • Joe Vicini, Inc., Project Grading Contractor • FieldTurf Company, Turf Installation Contractor • Representatives from Ponderosa High School, and EDUHSD
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R2The Grand Jury expects that of the meeting the EDUHSD will report back to the Grand Jury with a plan including accountable parties, deadline dates and status update.
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R3The Grand Jury recommends that the cost of this repair work not be paid with Measure Q monies, nor borne by the EDUHSD and its taxpayers.
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R4The Grand Jury recommends that EDUHSD adopt a policy to ensure that completed capital projects are reviewed for proper standards and contract compliance. RESPONSES Responses to both findings and recommendations in this Report are required by law in accordance with California Penal Code §933 and §933.05. Address responses to: The Honorable Suzanne N. Kingsbury, presiding judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court, 1354 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This Report has been provided to the El Dorado Union High School District Board for their review and response. The Presiding Judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court additionally requests that the responses be sent electronically as a “Word” file or “PDF” file to facilitate the economical and timely distribution of such responses. Please email responses to the El Dorado County Grand Jury at: [email protected] ATTACHMENT [ Adobe Reader is required to view attachment ] El Dorado Union High School District 6/30/2013 Consolidated Expenditure Report
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.