Letter to the editor: Hockinson bond will transform schools and athletic facilities

Posted

Editor,

As a dedicated Hockinson parent, I am writing to proudly support the upcoming bond. This will transform the quality of our school and athletic facilities. I am especially excited about the synthetic turf and track replacement at Hockinson High School.

Hockinson High School is the only school in the 17 schools of the Greater St. Helens League to not have turf. This means that we do not have a field that meets the requirements to host postseason football and soccer competitions. Because we cannot host, we are forced to travel to and rent outside facilities. Not only does this affect our athletics fund, but it means that our students, coaches, parents and supporters must travel for a “home” game.

Our current grass field struggles to meet the needs of our sports teams. We spend over $10,000 each year just to maintain it. This includes watering, fertilizing, line painting, seeding, etc. Even with all this maintenance, the field can only withstand about 20 football and soccer games each year due to conditions from use and the amount of rain the Pacific Northwest gets during the fall, winter and spring.

Installing synthetic turf would provide a much-needed solution to our current usage problems, as well as offer our students a durable surface that can be used year-round. One of the biggest drawbacks of our grass field is that it becomes a mud pit during the rainy season. In our climate, we get an average of 45 inches of rain per year. Adopting a synthetic field would mitigate the impact weather conditions have on the performance of our student-athletes and HHS band, as well.

Our 21-year-old track is also in need of replacement. The typical school track lasts between eight and 15 years. Ours is no exception, and its age is showing. We spend about $9,000 each year just patching cracks and addressing safety concerns. More importantly, the track’s surface is uneven and warped and has led to our track athletes to develop shin splints and other injuries. This is something that needs to be addressed immediately.

In addition to the turf and track replacement, the 2025 bond will fund necessary improvements across our district. The career and technical education building at Hockinson High School is another addition that will allow our students to thrive. This will provide job-readiness education, especially for students interested and pursuing a career in the trades. Currently, students with an interest in this field must travel to Cascadia Tech, which eats into their school day. There is also limited availability, yet there is great demand for these programs.

Bond funds will build a second elementary school in Hockinson to reduce overcrowding, install much-needed safety and security measures, and create a covered outdoor area at Hockinson Middle School to protect students from adverse weather conditions.

Please join me in voting yes for Hockinson schools. Our students deserve our support and they are worth it!



Kevin Hessel

Brush Prairie

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