The Chanute USD 413 Board of Education on Wednesday agreed to purchase new LED lights for the Chanute Sports Complex at a cost of $255,000.
The decision followed a lengthy discussion among board members and USD 413 Superintendent Matt Koester.
Koester told board members that the metal halide lights have been a topic of conversation for four years. The lighting at the complex is about 20 years old, he said, having been installed around 2004 or 2005. After some electrical issues were addressed, the district hasn’t had to replace a halite light bulb in the stadium for four years, which leads him to believe replacements could be needed soon.
He said at the last football game, about 12 to 15 of the bulbs were getting dim. The halite lights lose brightness over time, he said.
“It’s coming to the point in time that you’re going to have to replace these lights regardless of what you do,” Koester told board members.
He said staff sent a request for proposals six weeks ago and two lighting companies responded, Musco Lighting and Ephesus Sports Lighting.
The installation of the lights is more expensive because the poles that hold them are taller (80 feet). The requests sought lights that illuminate to 50-foot candles for the football field and 30 foot candles for the track, which is similar to what’s at the complex now and is a common illumination level for high schools.
The final quotes from the companies listed the cost as $207,000 from Musco plus an add-on that would bring the total to $237,000. Ephesus’ bid was $255,000. Musco offered a 25-year warranty and Ephesus offered 10.
The district budgeted $280,000 for the light project.
Koester said Musco lights are at the Santa Fee baseball field. A Chanute graduate is the salesperson representing the Ephesus product.
Both companies offered special effects lighting, including accent lights for poles (Musco) or buildings and the field (Ephesus). Ephesus lights can be individually controlled, offering the ability to spotlight special performances on the field during night games.
The difference in the quotes is $18,000.
Board members liked the extended warranty from Musco and the lower price. They also liked the extended abilities of the Ephesus system, even though the warranty was less. The reality is that the lights may need to be upgraded again in another 10 years, they heard.
Koester said both companies offered great products; Musco has been in the sports lighting business longer, but Ephesus offered more advanced controls. Ephesus also would offer accent lights for the west wall of the high school and the back of the stadium, with the ability to change colors based on event. Most events in the stadium would take place during daylight, but football games need lighting, especially as the season progresses, as do track events.
Board members asked Koester for a recommendation. He said he struggled with that request. The warranty is a big draw to Musco, but the Ephesus has features that would enhance students’ game or event experiences.
He said other schools will be moving toward these lighting upgrades, if they haven’t already. But with each improvement comes the task of maintaining the systems. Chanute added turf to the football field at a cost of $400,000 and resurfaced the track for $600,000, and these things will have to be maintained.
Board member Cassie Cleaver liked the warranty offered by Musco. She liked the fact that both systems gave Chanute High School students more options for working with new technology.
Board member Bruce Lee said he thinks the decision needed to be about student experience and Ephesus offered a better product for that. If more students have a good high school experience, they may be more likely to stay and raise a family or return to Chanute eventually.
“You can’t put a dollar amount on that,” Lee said.
Board members Matt Godinez and Landon Wolken both supported Ephesus for similar reasons.
Board member Brianna Leroy said she was torn. She said the fact that many events will be in the daylight made her wonder if the additional $18,000 was worth it.
Koester noted that even with a 25-year warranty, there is no guarantee that something new would come in year 15 that the school board would want.
Board member Derek Waggoner said he didn’t disagree with other board members’ support of Ephesus. He worried about school funding in the next five years and liked the 25 year warranty from Musco. He said if he was buying something for his home he would go with the product that had a longer warranty, which some other board members agreed with.
Board president Heather Guernsey liked the flexibility of the Ephesus system. She said the difference in bids is $18,000. While that is a lot of money, it’s not a lot of money when looking at spending $250,000 on a project.
The board then approved buying the Ephesus system on a 6-1 vote, with Waggoner voting no.
The new lights should be installed over the summer.
In other matters, the board — Recognized Royster teacher Teri Lund for being selected as a Wayne Osness Honor Award recipient for 2024 by the Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Lund was recognized for her work in the inclusive PE Pals program at Royster.
— Agreed to extend Koester’s contract for another year after meeting in closed session.
— Heard that trees were planted on the north side of the tennis courts to act as an additional wind break.
