Each spring over the course of the last several years, Mr. Wurzer and I would walk the track with one of the track surface vendors to determine if it was time for resurfacing. And, after each inspection they would recommend we wait just 'one more year'. That, in spite of the fact the striping was starting to fade. We had considered simply repainting, but to do that didn't seem financially wise. After all, we knew we were probably only a few short years from resurfacing the track anyway. At the same time we mused how neat it would be, if when we did decide to go forward with the project to make it a blue track. Call it daydreaming I suppose because frankly it wasn't something that I considered all that seriously. I knew it would cost more and wasn't convinced it would be a good use of taxpayer money. See, schools in Iowa had been trying to get the SAVE fund extended for the last several years and legislators weren't in favor of using this money for projects that weren't necessary. They pointed to several athletic facilities around the state that were extravagantly over the top as a reason to not extend SAVE. I have been very sensitive to this argument and for certain did not want to be the next example.
This spring when Mr. Wurzer and I walked the track, we had already determined this was going to be the year to do the project. We had the budget set and the money had been earmarked for the last several years: $60,000. Knowing that was the case, my administrative cabinet lobbied me to get an alternate bid for blue. After all they argued, what could it hurt at least knowing the number? I agreed to at find out while at the same time thinking 'ask or not', I had no intention of putting in a blue track.
So I asked the bidders to give me an alternate for a blue track and to provide a sample. The thing is, the only blue track I know of in the state is pretty cool and all--but the wrong color blue. Although I was pretty much against the blue track, I at least wanted to see if they could deliver on 'Navy'. The bid letting was scheduled for May 1st since it was our intention to do the project over the summer. When we opened up the envelope and the sample fell out everyone was excited because it was in fact the right color blue. Then when we looked at the bid number for the alternate: $12,500. I was very surprised and my mind began to change.
Nevertheless, I was still firm in my resolve to make good use of our taxpayer resources. I would not commit taxpayer money to a blue track. Our kids would run just as fast on a traditional black track as they would a blue track. But at the same time, I thought, "What a statement it would be to drive by on highway 63 and see a blue track"! I shared with Mr. Wurzer and the rest of the crew here in the district that if we wanted to do a blue track, we could on one condition: we had to raise the money independently. There was an additional caveat. They had to do it by the end of May. See, if it was my intention to have the project completed over the summer I had to get it approved by the board and scheduled with the contractor. Remember, we had just received the bids on May 1st!
With such an aggressive goal there was really only one person we could turn to for help. So we called Joanne Hawkins. Joanne listened to our pitch, asked a few clarifying questions and agreed to accept our challenge. Folks, the rest is history. We absolutely crushed our goal and then some.
I learned something new through this process. First, never underestimate the support this community has for their school district. Sure, I always knew we were very blessed here in Hudson, but I don't think I realized how blessed we truly were. Second, we have awesome volunteers. Joanne didn't have to take this on. Her children have graduated and are no longer living in Hudson. Yet she continues to contribute to her school in a multitude of ways.
So thank you. Thank you to Joanne for leading this effort, and thanks to everyone for your contributions to this project. On second thought, I think our kids may run just a bit faster on a blue track!
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