TORONTO — Following Thursday’s meeting of the Toronto Board of Education, Superintendent Maureen Taggart provided an update on improvements to athletic facilities in the school district.

Taggart said crews have completed surveying needed for the artificial turf at the softball field at Michael Simpson Park and the multipurpose field on the embankment at the west end of the Toronto Junior-Senior High School parking lot.

She said they will be collecting core samples at the sites soon to determine if any stabilization is needed before the work can begin.

The school board has approved a $1.2 million contract with Field Turf of Calhoun, Ga., for the project, which is expected to be completed by spring.

Earlier this year, Toronto City Council agreed to transfer ownership of the park, which is off Edgar Avenue downhill from the rear of the school, to the school district so it could pursue the new field.

Taggart said crews also are installing a new video surveillance system at the football and baseball fields at North River Avenue.

She said the $94,659 system will be tied into the video surveillance system at the high school and also can be accessed remotely, with a code, if needed.

Taggart said sensors at the two fields can be activated, allowing sirens and strobe lights to be triggered by trespassers when the facilities aren’t open.

“We just want to protect the school district’s investment,” she said, noting the measures are intended to deter vandalism.

In recent years, the board has allocated $1.8 million for artificial turf for the two fields and $1.6 million for a new athletic track and visitors section at the football field.

During the meeting, board members received updates from school administrators on various programs, including efforts to promote student attendance.

Annie Silverthorn, principal of Toronto Elementary School, said 376 pupils have enrolled this school year, up from 346 last year.

Silverthorn said it’s important to stress the need for regular school attendance early in the year, when patterns of behavior are established.

She said to encourage attendance, door- and wall-decorating contests, a Spirit Week and other activities are being held or planned while children who have attained good attendance for the month can wear a Brag Tag.

Silverthorn said good behavior also is rewarded in a variety of ways, from lollipops to a free selection from the school’s book vending machine.

Betsy Jones, principal of Toronto Junior-Senior High School, said it has begun the year with 383 students, down from 410 last year, and is expected to have one of its smaller graduating classes, with 48.

But she added that 12 of the graduates are expected to finish with a two-year degree from Belmont College.

Jones said students with good attendance may attend a Halloween dance to be held during the school day on the holiday while a Spirit Week and other activities also have been planned.

Taggart said the school district’s partnership with Belmont College has been extended this year to include two vocational programs.

She said seven students have enrolled in the welding program while two have enrolled in one in heating ventilation and air conditioning systems and upon completion, may earn certification in those fields.

Both courses are offered one day each week at the college, with transportation provided by the school district.

In related business, Jones said students in grades 10-12 will be administered a test to determine personal strengths that may suit them for specific careers while also receiving counseling in that area from school staff.

The board also heard from Willy Luther, administrator for the pre-kindergarten program, who said 38 three-year-olds and 45 four- and five-year-olds have enrolled in it.

He said with five children in the Help Me Grow program, that number comes to 88.

Taggart said Help Me Grow offers home instruction to children with developmental disabilities.

The board also rescinded a $109,988 purchase of two Ford vans for the transportation of students to athletic events and other functions and approved the $97,102 purchase of two Honda vans.

Taggart explained the Ford vans are designed to accommodate 15 passengers which under state policy, requires a certified bus driver.

Because the district, like many, lacks bus drivers, the decision was made to purchase the nine-passenger Honda vans, which may be driven by non-certified drivers.

The board’s next regular meeting will be at 5 p.m. Oct. 17 in the high school’s library.