According to the district’s architects, at the time, one synthetic field cost an estimated $800,000 to $1 million, or $2.4 million to $3 million to install artificial turf at the three high schools. Officials, however, said the actual cost of a single field could be more than $1.2 million, when all architectural and engineering fees and contingencies were factored in. Pinto said at the time, and continues to maintain, that a synthetic-turf field from “goal post to goal post,” without the “D zone” behind the posts, could be had for $680,000.

Synthetic-turf fields last eight to 10 years, after which the artificial grass carpet and crumb-rubber fill must be replaced, according to experts. Replacing the carpet costs, on average, $250,000.

In 2009, 15 of Nassau’s 57 high schools had or were acquiring artificial turf. Since then, four high schools have added or will add artificial turf –– Freeport High School, North Shore High School in Glen Head, South Side High School in Rockville Centre and Lynbrook High School, which is having a field built at Marion Street Elementary School because it lacks room on school grounds for a field.

Freeport High School’s field and stadium lighting, together, cost $1.9 million, and were funded through the district’s capital reserve fund. The field was installed last August.

Also in August, North Shore installed a new synthetic-turf field and track, at a cost of $3.7 million. The project was paid for through the district’s capital reserve, a parent foundation and state grants.

Rockville Centre allocated a little more than $1.5 million for its artificial-turf field, plus $460,000 for a synthetic practice field. The district is also repairing its aging track, at a cost of $290,000. Rockville Centre is paying for the project through a $45.9 million bond that includes repairs and upgrades at all of its schools. The bond will raise the average homeowner’s tax bill by $128 per year. Voters approved the bond in March. Work is expected to begin this summer.