Parkland School Board has voted 5-4 to proceed with installation of artificial turf on the field at the high school used for soccer, field hockey and lacrosse.

Board members Robert Cohen, Mark Hanichak, Barry Long, Roberta Marcus, and Jef Reyburn voted for the $1.5 million undertaking during the Nov. 18 meeting.

Fellow board members Lisa Adams, Bob Bold, David Hein, and David Kennedy voted against the artificial turf.

At a previous meeting, Tom Daniels, senior project manager with Alvin H. Butz Inc., reported the existing grass field is difficult to maintain because of heavy use.

He said grass is worn down, limited drainage creates issues for players, and the surface is not smooth.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak explained the need for the artificial turf.

"This facility is in need of renovation," he said. "Maintaining the natural grass is not feasible. We are among the last districts to install artificial turf."

He said parents of sports participants have requested the turf because their children are at a competitive disadvantage without it when nearly all other schools have it.

Several residents stepped forward with comments.

"I am in support of turf," Al Haddad said. "I have been playing on grass for 40 years. I always walk the field first to look for holes. Turf will be a safe field for them to play on."

Matthew Barraco, a fifth grader at Kernsville Elementary School, said he wants to earn an athletic scholarship to play lacrosse at Duke.

"With turf fields, it's an advantage," Barraco said. "Grass slows you down."

Soccer coach and parent Patrick Birns, Schnecksville coach Kevin O'Neill and Peter Burke spoke in favor of the turf.

Sherry Royer said parents of field hockey players support it.

Dave Burke raised concerns about the cost and safety of the turf.

"The economics don't make sense," Dave Burke said. "The life expectancy is 10-12 years, but the payback is greater than 25 years."

He referred to an October NBC News report regarding potential cancer concerns arising from the crumb rubber particles laid on the field and breathed in by players.

"The link to cancer is not confirmed, but questions are raised," Dave Burke said. "Is there a compelling reason to install artificial turf now at a time when there are significant concerns about links to cancer? Is this a false alarm or another asbestos in the making?"

Sniscak responded to his concerns.

"I wouldn't want the public to think this wasn't thoroughly vetted," Sniscak said. "We're concerned about safety and the NBC story. We've looked at crumb rubber studies over 20 years.

"The preponderance of evidence is there is no direct evidence linking crumb rubber to cancer."

He said the $1.5 million will be taken from the capital reserves and will not impact the millage rate in the 2015-16 budget.