Cynthia O’Keefe, a resident of Ridgewood, questioned the status of a feasibility study related to the proposed expansion of the Benjamin Franklin field into a sports complex. She inquired whether the field would be grass or artificial turf, pointing out conflicting statements from various officials. O’Keefe also raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving a board member, who is also a coach for the local Maroons soccer team, and how this might affect decisions regarding artificial turf.

Amy McCambridge, a former coach, expressed strong concerns about the safety and environmental implications of artificial turf. She criticized the board’s lack of clarity and accused it of yielding to political pressure rather than prioritizing student safety. She also shared her experience of losing her coaching position, which she attributed to her public stance against artificial turf, and called for accountability and leadership from the board.

In response, a board representative stated that there are currently no plans to install artificial turf at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. They acknowledged the importance of further discussions with community members and the need to address the questions raised during the meeting. The feasibility study is reportedly complete, but its findings and implications remain under review.