The final steps in completing the athletic field where Knoch School District students hope to defeat many opponents for years to come are upcoming in the near future.

Superintendent David Foley said at Wednesday’s school board meeting that the carpet on the field is poised to be laid, but the rubber crumbles that are added to protect athletes from injury have not been delivered.

Foley explained that the New York company that makes the rubber crumbles closes down each year in November and December, then reopens on the first of the new year.

He said the carpet will be laid on the field, but it cannot be used until the rubber crumbles are brushed into the carpet.

Foley said companies that produce the material are few, and switching to a purveyor in Arizona would add about $30,000 onto the project’s cost because the material would need to be picked up.

He said the district’s agreement with the contractor installing the field states the work must be done by Feb. 24.

Spring sports at Knoch begin on March 7.

“We hope to have the field done before the start of spring sports,” Foley said.

He said the project to upgrade the entire stadium has gone well, as workers have had favorable weather during the work.

The field will mark Knoch’s first experience with an artificial surface.

Also at the meeting, the school board voted on a president and vice president for 2023.

Donna Eakin will retain her seat as president, and Anthony Infante will take the position of vice president.

Jill McDonald was elected board treasurer.

Jamie Van Lenten, district business manager, announced that the annual audit of the district’s finances will be presented by auditors at the Jan. 11 board meeting.

She also announced the ceiling on any potential tax increase in next year’s budget is 4%, which equates to almost 3.9 mils.

Foley stressed that each school district in the state is issued a tax increase threshold every year, which does not mean a tax increase in any amount is imminent.