High School Moves Forward With Football Field Lights After Lawsuit Is Dismissed

A high school in California can now install lights at its football field after a lawsuit was dropped this week. 

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District proposed the Dan Albert Stadium project in 2019, involving the permanent installation of lights at Monterey High School's football stadium, along with several other improvements.

MPUSD told KSBW that an appeals court dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday surround the project at the plaintiff's request. 

A judge ruled in favor of MPUSD in the case of Preserving the Peace v. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. The trial court also denied the plaintiff's request for over $400,000 in fees and costs.

MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh added that “the district is very pleased that its commitment to the stadium project has been validated through the district’s litigation successes. Dismissal of the appeal means one less distraction from completing the stadium project and ensures the district’s ability to focus on the project’s benefits to district students and the community.”

The project will not only come with the installation of four new permanent field lights but also the following:

• Turning a dirt field next to Dan Albert Stadium used for parking into a softball and multi-use field
• Building a 1,920-square-foot strength and conditioning center
• Track and field event area improvements
• Renovations to the stadium
• Replacing the temporary press box
• A new public address system
• Putting in new and separate visitor bleachers on the opposite side of the stadium