Lincoln Academy sophomore and former Jefferson Village School student Madison Allen presents his Eagle Scout project to the Jefferson School Committee on Monday, April 4. (Alexander Violo photo)
A former Jefferson Village School student and current sophomore at Lincoln Academy has proposed a project for the JVS school grounds as his Eagle Scout Project.
Madison Allen, a past member of the JVS track and field team, hopes to build a long-jump and triple-jump pit behind the school for use by the team.
“I got the idea for the project when I was here on the track team,” Allen said.
During his presentation to the school committee, Allen said the team currently uses a mat in the gym that slides around, creating safety hazards for the athletes.
He said the school would not have to provide anything for the project, as he would conduct fundraising to finance its completion.
Allen said any extra funds raised or materials donated would, in turn, be donated to the school.
Allen fielded several questions from Central Lincoln County School System Superintendent Steve Bailey and members of the school committee.
The student said he hoped to complete the project by mid-May if he can raise the necessary funds in time.
He said he would call Dig Safe to ensure there are not any wires or other hazards in the area.
Allen said he is going to ask for donations from local lumberyards and paving companies.
He said money for additional materials would be raised from events such as bake sales and car washes.
Allen said he would rely on the guidelines for middle school track and field to create a safe environment for students to practice. The runway for the pit would be made out of tar or asphalt.
“There are a lot of safety considerations incorporated into building a pit,” Greene-Morse said.
The Scout said he would make a good base to ensure the pit’s runway remains flat in the future. “The one main safety concern after it’s built is the settling of the runway, because frost heaves could form in it that could cause tripping hazards,” Allen said.
Jefferson Village School Principal Peter Gallace recommended that Allen reach out to a company familiar with this type of construction to ensure he is aware of applicable rules, regulations, and safety concerns.
School committee member Andy Bernier said that when Allen reaches out to these companies, he should inform them of his project and they may lend a hand to his efforts.
School committee member Forrest Bryant said he appreciated the student’s energy and wished him luck on the project.
The school committee voted to allow Allen to start fundraising for his Eagle Scout project on school grounds.
The committee did ask Allen to come back in May with more information on the project and left open the possibility of changes to the project as more research is done.
In other student athletics-related business, the Jefferson School Committee voted to create a cheer team for grades three through eight as part of the sports program for the school.
Eighteen kids currently participate in the Jefferson Sports Association program, and Gallace said the school is looking to incorporate it as a school function.
The program team would follow a schedule similar in length to the school’s basketball season.
Bryant expressed his support for the proposal.
“It’s one more way to get kids active and get them involved in groups, and I think that’s huge,” Bryant said.
