The Vashon school board on Thursday discussed the $10 million bond proposal under consideration and decided what it will fund at Vashon High School’s track and field.

By a 4-1 vote, the board decided to move forward with an eight-lane track and with an artificial turf field, but only if a plan to save funds for the expected $1 million replacement of the field’s top layer is made before the Feb. 16 bond proposal deadline. According to turf experts, both artificial and natural fields should have turf layers replaced between eight to 12 years for artificial and 12 to 15 for natural. The board has been discussing strategies for the turf replacement fund for some time and is in discussion with the Vashon Park District about using money that VPD provides to go toward that fund.

Board member Dan Chasan, who was the sole “no” vote in both the track and field decisions, said he does not want to come up with another bond for the turf replacement before the current bond is paid off.

“I can support turf, but only if we have a plan to replace it,” he said.

Board members had a variety of reasons for supporting artificial turf, ranging from water use to the field’s ability to be used in a variety of weather conditions. Board member Bob Hennessey said the field is a “generational commitment” that will be part of the community for a long time.

“Water demand is only going to increase in this community and using clean, potable water on a field is not the best use,” he said.

As for the decision to go with an eight-lane track, the board heard a petition from island track enthusiast Todd Pearson urging the board to invest in track and field and agreed with him.

“Eight lanes makes sense,” board chair Steve Ellison said. “Six lanes is practically a glorified practice facility. It’s half-committing to say that we have this program (track and field) and not host a home meet.”

The school board will meet again at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the district conference room at Chautauqua Elementary School.