SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. — Some parents at a Scott County elementary school said that its playroom is becoming a safety concern, and are demanding a new one. Parents said the school needs a safe place for kids to exercise year-round.
Huntsville Elementary School is one of six primary schools in the county. Over the past decade, it has received the least amount of funding to support its facilities.
"Second-largest school in the county. Also, some of the highest test scores and it also has the most of the special-needs kids at that school as well," said Paul Stringer, a former member of the Scott County Board of Education. "Since 1994, there have been no facility expenses for the Huntsville Elementary School, and the playroom is in terrible shape."
Diana Richardson, a parent of a student at the school, said that the roof leaks water, and there are spots with loose sheet metal in the playroom. She was at a board of education meeting as leaders sorted through the 2023-2024 budget.
"There are no bathrooms so they're having to walk completely outside and back in ... There's just so much, so much," she said. "These kids deserve it, they do. Not just for their health, but for their wellbeing, I feel like."
Bill Hall, the Scott County Superintendent, said that he asked commissioners to fund a project to update the playroom for students there.
"Their main concern is they just want their kids to have something in place that's nice and good for them," he said. "We will know when the tax rate is set, whether or not the budget committee will be able to help us go forward to fund it."
He also said if the Scott County Commission doesn't fund the updates, the board will take another look at moving money in their budget to fund the project.