New Tennis Courts Approved for Francis Howell North

Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central will be getting new tennis courts. 

The Francis Howell Board of Education approved the plan to rebuild both courts on a vote of 4-3, with Board Directors Mark Lafata, Marty Hoditis and Cynthia Bice voting nay. 

“We’re spending pretty close to 900,000 on some tennis courts,” Lafata said. "This does not educate kids. That’s the business we’re in. … Shame on us.”

what to do with the courts at Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central for a few weeks now. The courts, six at North and eight at Central, are cracked and showing signs of damage.

“There are surface cracks on both of the courts, none that will prohibit play, but they are very noticeable,” said Kevin Supple, district chief financial officer.

The board considered several options before approving a plan to install eight post-tension concrete courts at each school, which would make the schools eligible to host post-season play. Schools must have at least eight courts to qualify under MSHSAA rules. 

The district will have to use bond money to pay for the project in addition to the capital money that had been budgeted for the fix. The project will cost $324,927 for the courts at Francis Howell Central and $363,289 for the courts at Francis Howell North.

The original proposal considered by the board was to hire Vee Jay Cement for $256,362 to build six post-tension concrete tennis courts at Francis Howell North High School this year and fix the courts at Francis Howell Central next year.

Lafata said the proposal was too costly and wanted an alternative. The administration came back with five other options. After checking out the courts, Lafata said he didn’t see the cracks as a big issue.

“I’m not Billie Jean King or Jimmy Connors, but I could probably play on them just fine,” he said.

Lafata suggested the board choose the last option, to overlay the courts at both schools at a cost of $109,000 at Francis Howell Central High School and $126,766 at Francis Howell North High School.

Supple said a resurfacing only is guaranteed only five years of life maximum before the cracks would return.

Board Treasurer Mike Hoehn suggested the board look long term and hire Vee Jay Cement to build eight post-tension concrete tennis courts at each school for a cost of $324,927 at Francis Howell Central and $363,289 at Francis Howell North.

While this was the most costly option presented, the post-tension courts are supposed to last up to 30 years.

“It makes more sense to spend the money now then to spend the money every six years,” Hoehn said.

Hoehn said that with construction costs on the rise, it would be smart to lock in a cheaper price now to get a 30-year court.

“Concrete can be playable for a long time,” Board Vice President Steve Johnson said.