It’s a chance to provide more direction.

During Monday night’s meeting, Lawrence school board members will discuss improving athletic facilities for outdoor sports at both high schools.

“To me, we’re looking for ways to meet the needs for as long as we can in the best way for the taxpayers,” said Craig Grant, school board vice president.

Because of budget constraints, board members likely won’t approve of a major plan during their 7 p.m. Monday meeting at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive. But they could reach a consensus about asking administrators to seek bids on lights for existing fields or other projects.

The issue has been a hot topic this school year, and several board members have said it might be too soon to seek a bond issue after voters approved a $54 million building plan in 2005.

Administrators presented a wide range of preliminary scenarios to board members in October. They included an estimated $21 million sports complex (without buying land) that included a football stadium and track, two baseball fields, two softball fields, a soccer field and four tennis courts with lights plus restrooms, concessions and 2,878 parking spaces.

Board members also presented other options for adding softball, baseball and soccer fields at Lawrence High School to keep students from having to drive long distances for practice and games. Grant said the district was still involved in talks with Haskell Indian Nations University about improving Haskell Stadium, where both high schools play home football games.

The school district also has a backlog of projects, mostly at elementary schools.

“It’s like taking the next step in terms of moving forward. So there will be a lot of steps left,” said Mary Rodriguez, district chief operations officer.

Administrators and board members have talked about chipping into facilities needs some this year with about $3 million from the capital outlay budget, about $1.5 million leftover from the 2005 bond issue and performance contracting – a financing tool to help pay for installing artificial surfaces on fields.

Administrators already have sought bids to add lights to the Free State High School softball field. Board members on Monday night have the option to approve the $80,240 bid from Lynn Electric of Lawrence.