Since Lawrence High School’s baseball field was built two years ago, fans have been wondering, “So, where’s the restroom?”

One sign points fans to the nearby Johnson County Community College annex, which often was locked on weekends. But most people have walked through the holes in the wooden fence behind the field to visit the restaurants just south of the baseball field.

It’s the same dilemma at Free State High School’s upgraded baseball and softball facilities. If you have to go, take the long walk to the new football stadium facilities, if they are open, or the aquatic center, even farther.

Turns out, this restroom issue — which apparently took Lawrence school officials by surprise — is going to cost the district more than a few extra steps. It’s going to take up to $300,000 to construct restrooms at both schools’ baseball parks. Under city code, if you build stadium seating at athletic facilities, restrooms must be no more than 500 feet away.

Added to the other problems encountered by the school district improving its athletic fields in recent years, it raises real questions about the district’s level of planning for the facilities. Sure, Lawrence public schools now have some of the most impressive sports complexes in the state, something the community can be proud of, but at what cost?

The need for new athletic facilities started with the need to get out of Haskell Stadium, where local high school football teams played for years. Sunflower League schools were complaining about the facility, and Lawrence schools were at risk of being kicked out of the Johnson County-based conference. Complicating matters was the need to have equitable facilities for the two Lawrence high schools. What one had, the other should have as well.

There was almost no public discussion about upgrading the high school fields or perhaps considering other options like a combined sports complex. Instead, district leaders decided both schools would have their own facilities and the cost would be entirely covered by funds remaining from an earlier building bond issue for improving classrooms and other learning facilities. Voters were not asked for permission to build football stadiums, tennis courts, soccer fields or ballparks, but that’s where a significant portion of the money went.

An expensive lawsuit filed by LHS neighbors soon resulted, and, even after it was settled, it continues to haunt the district. Neighbors, wanting to protect their quality of life and home values in the shadow of a football stadium, expect the settlement to be followed to the letter of the law.

Meanwhile, Free State received the gift of a state-of-the-art football locker room complex and offices. LHS couldn’t be left out; the Lions needed something special, too. So the $400,000 budget for locker rooms at LHS was ultimately increased to $675,000. Yes, $275,000 over budget.

Now, because of an oversight by the district, another $300,000 has to be spent for ballpark restrooms that should have been in the original plans approved before the first shovel moved dirt.

When it comes to athletic facility upgrades, Lawrence public school leaders have yet to learn lessons about planning and fiscal responsibility. It’s time they wised up.