The Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board approved a $1.4 million landscaping initiative that includes maintenance and upkeep projects at all district sites.

Along with playground upgrades and fire lane renovations at McDowell Mountain Elementary School and various smaller projects at the Middle School/Four Peaks campus, the initiative also includes the installation of artificial turf at the high school football field, as well as a resurfacing of the all-weather track.

Funds for these projects are provided by voter-approved bonds and some projects are expected to be carried out in time for the coming school year.

Speaking specifically to concerns for the synthetic turf portion of the initiative, board member Jill Reed stated during the meeting that the decision was not being made lightly, as board members had already conducted their own research, hosted a study session on the item in March, as well as discussed the matter further at Wednesday evening's meeting.

The landscaping initiative was passed unanimously.