The Monroe County School District announced Aug 10 that Patrick LeFere, Executive Director of Operations and Planning, has retired. LeFere was at the center of the baseball field impasse between the School Board and the Islamorada Village Council.  Over a five year period, LeFere held meetings with representatives from the school district and Village to plan major upgrades to the Founders Park baseball field… behind the scenes.  

The field at Founders Park is the only high school baseball field in the Keys not on School District property.  The School District will pay for the improvements. Residents and taxpayers of Islamorada will be contributing to some of the maintenance and operational expenses.  When Islamorada Council and public finally learned about the upgrades planned, the controversy began as to artificial turf or grass, size and location of structures, lack of ADA compliant bleachers.

Finally a joint workshop was held, almost two years into the controversy.  And now a 40-year contract (lease arrangement) has been signed spelling out responsibilities.  

And most important - the kids have been assured by the Council and the School Board that they will play on an upgraded artificial turf field come January 2027.  

Hopefully, the baseball players are the winners at long last… no thanks to the Village and School officials who ignored the technicalities that are mandated for government decision-making.