Rationale

Rationale

The Campus Complex is not yet complete

The outdoor athletic facilities that exist are not representative of the rest of Beckman or its programs. The proposed field turf, bleachers and lights will provide exceptional areas and facilities for student athletics and co-curricular activities to flourish.

Economics

The land occupied by the exterior athletic fields at Beckman represent some of the most valuable real estate in Orange County or nationally for that matter. By resurfacing the field with field turf we make it more usable by many groups increasing its utility and reducing the maintenance costs of mowing, sod installation, seeding, fertilizing and watering by an estimated $100,000 per year. This provides a greater benefit to the tax payer. Field turf is durable too; typical warranties are for 10 years.

Cultural/Social

Having on campus facilities further reinforces the community of Beckman Highs School. Attending sporting contests is an American ritual that uniquely allows for parents, students, teachers, and community members to gather for the common support of the school…… a tremendous community lesson for all. BHS currently has to bus students to other communities for extra curricular activities due to the lack of or condition of its own facilities. This is costly (over $7,000 plus per year), inconvenient and the travel time takes away from study hours for our student athletes.

Educational

The primary purpose of construction of the fields, bleachers and lighting is to maximize their use as “outdoor classrooms” for the physical educational sports programs and the co-curricular programs such as band, dance teams, etc. The completion of these facility improvements will also allow for the promotion of events such as band festivals, cheerleading events & clinics, track and field tournaments and other co-curricular activities.

Civic

Community recreation programs would benefit as a weekly evening site for recreational programs for youth soccer, lacrosse and football teams. The availability of this much needed complex would also serve as a venue for other activities generating yearly income of up to $200,000 helping defray costs.

Safety

The American Journal of Sports Medicine completed a study in 2004 that showed head injuries on field turf are significantly lower. In addition, the study shows there was a reduction in the severity of joint injuries, fewer field-contact injuries, and no increase in abrasions. Another benefit with the addition of lights would be to support evening athletic events and practices avoiding the heat during the middle of the day.

Scheduling

Due to lack of facilities, other high schools resist scheduling games with Beckman. Northrop Stadium (Tustin High School’s Stadium also used by Foothill High School) is dated, not well maintained, has no handicap access to the stands and limited in availability. Beckman and the other Tustin high schools are forced to schedule home football games on Thursday evenings and away games at considerable distances. Scheduling football games during the school week is inconvenient for travel. Weekday games also limit attendance by students, parents and supporters. As football games are major Beckman community events, this is counter to a key intent of the program. Thursday night football games are also very inconvenient for the many parent volunteers whose work schedule is in conflict with weekday scheduled games.

And Most Importantly Academics

Weekday schedules impinge academically. Homework assignments scheduled on game nights become inappropriate increasing workloads on other school days. Friday classes are also adversely affected by the students who attend the games. This is especially true for those who participate. Considering the band, football, cheer, and student body all attend, as well as many faculty and administration, this is not insignificant.