Insurance to Cover Replacement of Turf Damaged by Flooding

Workers will start removing the turf from Southmoreland High School's athletic field, which has to be resurfaced because of flooding damage from severe storms in August.

Superintendent John Molnar this week updated the school board on progress at Russ Grimm Field, which could not be used for fall sports or other activities.

The district's insurance company, DeFurio Mongell and Associates, has been very helpful, Molnar said.

"They've agreed not only to replace the field, but they've also agreed to cover the design work in terms of architecture and engineering," he said. "That was a hurdle we were trying to get over."

Insurance will cover the costs, minus a $25,000 deductible.

An architect recently inspected the field and is preparing a design for its replacement, Molnar said.

"Since this is an insurance situation, and the insurance company is willing to pay the vendor directly, we need to determine what kinds of regulatory hoops we need to jump through in terms of getting with the Department of Education and things of that nature," he said. "We're hoping to be able to start removing the old turf very shortly and get the specifications out and get this project out and under way as soon as possible."

Kristy Smith, president of the Parent Teachers Association for the primary center and elementary school, congratulated the elementary school for recently being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Schools are recognized by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program for students who perform at very high levels or make significant improvements in academic achievement.

"As parents we were extremely proud of the efforts that are put forth in our schools," Smith said. "We're proud to say that our children go to Southmoreland Elementary School."

The PTA sponsored a "blue-out" day on Wednesday to honor the achievement, she said.

"We asked all of the children to wear blue in honor of the National Blue Ribbon, and we also handed out blue ribbon bracelets to all of the children," she said.

Elementary Principal John Lee and Assistant Superintendent Timothy Scott will represent the district at an awards banquet Dec. 8 in Hershey, which is being held in conjunction with the Standard Aligned Systems Conference, Molnar noted.

"More things are coming our way because of the hard work done by so many people ... at the elementary school," he said.

Paul Paterra is a staff editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-887-6101 or [email protected]