WESTBROOK – As budgets for both Westbrook’s school and municipal departments take final shape, there’s one noticeable item missing – new athletic field lights at Westbrook High School.

“At this time, $140,000 is a lot of money. That’s laptops, that’s books. That’s not in the budget. In a perfect world they would be but we have to look at our priorities, and the lights are not over teachers, books, computers or programs,” said Superintendent Marc Gousse.

Gousse said as of now, no Friday night athletic events are planned for the fall at Olmsted Field because the 40-year-old lights, which were taken down in October when it was determined they were a safety hazard, will not be replaced. Athletic events will be scheduled for Saturday afternoons instead.

The lights, according to Gousse, were put up on polls by the National Guard and other area volunteers in 1973. This fall, after being outside in the rain, snow, sleet and hail for four decades, a metal rack with wooden cross pieces and lights was found dangling inside the stadium. The area was cordoned off while staff took down the rest of the lights.

Newer lights will provide better illumination on the field, work more efficiently and be smaller than the old lighting system.

The school district did put the project out to bid and received three estimates from different companies in the area, with estimates at around $140,000. Once the price tag came back, Gousse asked the Cornelia Warren Foundation to fund the lights and new bleachers in the stadium. The foundation declined.

Adding the cost to the budget was not an option, either.

“It was important for the district to keep taxes flat. Adding lights or bleachers was never a possibility. We need to make sure that our community members are always considered. With patience, we will make the appropriate upgrades to our facility when the time and funding is available,” said Athletic Director Marc Sawyer.

Gousse said there are still options on the table to fund the lights. He will continue to approach organizations in an effort to get donations, and there is also a possibility of using carry-over funds from this year’s school budget surplus or splitting the cost with the city.

“We’re evaluating options at this point, we don’t know where we’ll end up at the end of the year. We’re considering some other entities to support the project, but right now we’re planning for day games,” Gousse said.

Gousse said as both a resident and school administrator, he understands the importance of enjoying a Friday night game under the lights for both the community and for the students, so he is continuing to look at any and all funding options.

On April 24, the school committee will continue to discuss its budget at 7 p.m. in room 114 of Westbrook High School.