Carthage R-9 Superintendent: District had nothing to do with decision to close Carl Lewton Stadium

In a video posted today on the district Facebook page, Carthage R-9 Superintendent Mark Baker addressed rumors that the district had something to do with the city's decision to close historic Carl Lewton Stadium.

The closure came shortly after the announcement that the district was submitting a "no tax increase" proposal on the April ballot to build a performing arts center and a baseball field at Carthage High School.

Baker's explanation included the graphic shown above.

"Carl Lewton Stadium is a hot topic right now," Baker said. "How was the district involved in the city's decision to close down Carl Lewton Stadium? How much money has the district spent to maintain the stadium? What happens now to the baseball program?

"The district had nothing to do with the city's decision to shut down The Rock."

Baker said district official were unaware the city engineer was reviewing the park and said the parts of the stadium that caused the problem were the parts that the city was supposed to maintain.

"The timing regarding the city's decision caused many issues," Baker said.  

Baker said he wished city officials would have waited until the end of the baseball season to close the stadium.

"We did not have a part in the decision making process."