The Newton School Board now has cost estimates for getting handrails on the bleacher steps at H.A. Lynn Stadium and the installation of another elevator at the high school. The cost estimates were presented to the school board during their regular meeting Monday night. Rachelle Hines of FRK Architects and Engineers presented three options for the handrails at the stadium. She estimates the homeside bleachers can be retro-fitted for $300,000. Option two would be to replace the visitor side bleachers at an estimated cost of $600,000. Option three is about a $1,000,000 complete home side-renovation with new restrooms. Hines added the addition of an elevator to access all three levels of the high school would cost about $500,000. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger believes the school board will eventually take action on both projects.

“With putting these numbers together, it does come out to be a significant expense to the District. The next step is recognizing we have to do something. It really is a high priority of ours.”

The Newton School Board will soon be taking what they called “field trips” to H.A. Lynn Stadium and the High School to get a better understanding of the current situation and how the options might work. Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger is the guest on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.