(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board has rejected a proposed lease agreement for use of the new softball field at Noble Park.

During Monday night’s meeting, representatives from the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club presented two options for district use of the facility.

The first proposal called for a two-year agreement, with the district contributing $30,000 in both 2026 and 2027, followed by renegotiation. The second option outlined a five-year lease at $25,000 annually, also subject to renegotiation at the end of the term.

After discussion, board member Ryan Patton moved to approve the two-year option. The motion failed in a 3–4 vote. Supporting the motion were Patton, Griff Howard, and Phil Roberts. Voting against were Board President Roni Tietgens, along with Ian Schuetz, Mitch Brown, and Brooklyn Schuetz.

Ian Schuetz then made a motion that the district pay $13,000 for the rest of the school year, which would give the district time to come up with where they would cut down on capital outlay expenditures to make up for the rest.  However, the Baseball and Softball Club representatives declined that proposal before a second to the motion could be made.