Safety concern at Irving College School

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

Warren County Board of Education member Matthew Brown has urged fellow members to consider a fence to protect students as they play outside.

“The playground to the backside of Irving College,” he stated. “At some point, we need to look at having it fenced in, because right now it’s completely open. I know there was a point last year when they had to call the SRO down because some stranger decided to come park next to the playground.”

Brown relayed that person’s justification, or lack thereof.

“They said it showed as a park on Google maps or something, which isn’t true. Something potentially shady could go on there. For security and safety of the kids, that’s a project that I think should definitely be given a fairly high priority, I think, just for safety’s sake.”

Brown also questioned if anyone had inspected the school to determine the feasibility of adding classrooms.

“So, I took our architect out there,” said Director of Schools Dr. Grant Swallows. “We walked through the upper grades hall and Allen [Hill] sent us an email today that said they needed to know the enrollment, just to get a class size understanding, by grade level.”

Hill also requested, according to Dr. Swallows, sewer information, because additional bathrooms will be needed.

“He’s trying to get an understanding. And then, anytime you add onto a building you have to bring in a civil engineer. Allen referenced bringing in Dave Allmon, who is our civil engineer. So, they have started that process. Again, when we walked through it last week, they both had an idea what they think they can do, but until they get back and start putting pen to paper. The process is moving.”

This discussion was held Thursday night during Facilities and Resources, which provided updates on the condition of Warren County’s schools: West Elementary School’s basement project is complete, and its gym project is underway. The middle school has a new awning, which is the second of three to be placed. The dirt pad for the high school’s cafeteria project is complete; footers and foundation will soon be placed; the school’s bleachers have been ordered.