Leading off today: The Auburn school board has approved sending a $15.7 million proposal for school renovations to voters on June 26, The Auburn Citizen reported today. The project includes an overhaul of Holland Stadium and the installation of artificial turf, which has become a hot topic nationally this spring.

   Holland Stadium accounts for about $3.5 million of the overall project. District superintendent Joseph "J.D." Pabis said a fund-raising drive to cover local taxpayers' $150,000 share of the artificial turf is nearly complete. On Monday, state Sen. Michael F. Nozzolio said he has arranged $50,000 in state funding. Earlier, Assemblyman Gary Finch arranged $5,000 in state money.

   Philip W. Wise, a principal with the Rochester-based SWBR Architects with whom the district contracts, addressed concerns related to the decision Monday by Cicero-North Syracuse officials to close their turf-field stadium due to possible high levels of lead in turf fibers.

   “We will make sure there are no products that are hazardous to our students,” he said.

Northport's plans: The Northport-East Northport Board of Education adopted a $143.3 million 2008-09 budget last week that incorporates recommendations by AD Drew Cronin to create six additional middle-school teams and hire three assistant basktball and wrestling coaches for the high school.

   Milestones: Eastchester baseball coach Dom Cecere earned his 600th win yesterday as the Eagles beat Riverside (W.Va.), 13-4. Cecere, 66, improved to 600-327-4. His teams have won six sectional titles. Tony Panio went for 4-for-4 and drove in four runs.

   Danny DeVito had two hits and two RBIs as Holy Trinity defeated St. Anthony's, 9-6, for Bob Malandro's 300th coaching victory at the school. Malandro is 300-192 in 19 seasons.

   Orange in the red: The Daily Orange provided an enlightening look into finances in the Syracuse University athletic department, including the disclosure that the football program lost $157,085 in 2006 despite bringing in $14.9 in gross revenue.

   Further, the story said the athletic department earned $42.5 million and spent $43.7 million in 2006-07.

   Extra points: With Catholic school enrollment continuing to drop, Binghamton Seton Catholic may be converted into a combined middle school/high school, a move already approved recently for several Rochester-area schools. . . . NYSSWA member Mike (Section4football.com) Connell passes along this Gil Thorp comic-strip update: The girls softball team beat the Binghamton Patriots and in the boys topped Chenango Forks in their season opener. Check it out for yourself.

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