Concern Arises over Playground Equipment from Ellen Street Campus

The fate of playground equipment Parent-Teacher Organization volunteers raised funds for several years ago is causing some controversy for . The equipment was removed from the district's last year, when renovations took place.

Since the PTO donated the equipment to the school district, it is the district's property and administration will decide what to do with it, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jalkanen said. It might not be in appropriate condition to use or sell anymore.

Parent Debbie Knox, who helped raise money for the playground equipment, said some parents are upset. About 10 years ago, three elementary school PTOs were asked to donate playground equipment for the Ellen Street Campus, formerly Fenton Intermediate School. Sixth-graders were being moved from the elementary schools to the school on Ellen Street, and playground equipment for them was needed.

The elementary PTOs raised around $9,000 for the equipment, but when their children reached the Ellen Street school two to three years later, the playground equipment wasn't installed, she said. When parents asked, they were told the money went in "different directions" and for items for the schools other than the playground. The school district has had a number of new principals and a new superintendent since then, due to some retirements.

The students moved to their new school on Ellen Street but didn't have the playground equipment. In the meantime, PTO raised money for basketball hoops, tetherball poles, hula hoops, jump ropes and other games for recess.

Within four years, PTO raised approximately $17,000, asking residents and businesses in the community for donations, Knox said. The theme was to install a playground for the older students at the school on Ellen Street. In addition, others in the community would be able to walk to and use a playground in downtown Fenton.

The playground equipment was pulled up last year to make way for a parking area at the school, she said.

Jalkanen said it was removed so a new roadway and parking could be constructed, as part of renovations at the school. The playground equipment wasn't appropriate for the early childhood program at the Ellen Street Campus, since it was meant for older students.
"It's not something the little kids can use," he said.

Since the three pieces of playground equipment were removed, they have been at the school district's maintenance department, disassembled and on the ground.

Several parents asked what happened to the equipment and were told it was in storage and would be sold for new lockers at AGS Middle School Donaldson Drive Campus, Knox said. Sixth graders will start classes at AGS in the fall.

The idea stemmed from an elementary school PTO in the district, which raised money for lockers for its fifth graders, Jalkanen said. At this point, he's examined the playground equipment and isn't sure it should be sold due to its age.

Parents worked hard to raise funds for the equipment, Knox said, and wanted students and the community to be able to use it. The previous superintendent told them, if sixth graders were moved to AGS on Donaldson Drive, the playground equipment could be moved there. She's read studies that show it's good for students, through twelfth grade, to get out and burn off built-up energy during school, so they can return to class more settled down and learn more. Activities like walking, playing and kicking a ball do them good.

Jalkanen said there are three pieces of playground equipment from the school on Ellen Street, which are several years old. Someone will have examine the equipment to see if it's still safe to use.

He doesn't believe it should be installed at AGS, which doesn't really have a playground area. Middle school students don't have recess, like elementary ones do.

If the equipment is installed at an elementary school or schools, administrators need to determine if there's enough space for it. In addition, there is the issue of what it would cost to install it, Jalkanen said.

In the end, administration will decide what to do with the playground equipment.

"Once something is donated to the school, it becomes school property," he said.