October 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Special Called Voting Meeting

Discussion:  Chairman Beaty called the meeting to order and welcomed dignitaries in attendance. 

Vicki stated that the meeting does not need adoption of the agenda because it is limited to the business specified in the agenda. 

Discussion:  The pledge to the flag was led by Josh Taylor.

Discussion: 

Chairman Beaty explained that the meeting would focus on a single agenda item regarding the recent playground expansion. Mr. Drew & Mr. Page presented an overview of the existing playgrounds, noting that the Pre-K through 2nd-grade playground and the 3rd through 5th-grade playground were already in place. They explained that a new expansion was underway but clarified that the original playground at the front of the school would remain untouched.
 

During the presentation, Mr. Drew outlined a construction error in which the playground structures were installed on the wrong sides. The taller structure, recommended by the manufacturer for ages 5-12, was mistakenly placed on the K-2 side, while the smaller structure, recommended for ages 2-5, was installed on the 3rd-5th grade side. This created a mismatch in age-appropriate equipment relative to the intended grade levels, as the 3-5 side should have housed the taller equipment for older students. Corbett explained that the taller structure was still under assembly on the K-2 side, and the misplacement prompted discussion on how best to correct the issue.
 

Three options were presented for consideration. Option 1 proposed relocating the structures to their intended locations, which would require disassembly and reconstruction. The total cost for this option was $50,000, discounted to $35,000 with engineering support. Option 2 suggested leaving the structures as currently installed and adding a separate Pre-K playground to the K-2 side. This would cost $22,000, with engineering contributions reducing the district’s cost to $7,000. Option 3 combined both approaches: relocating the towers and adding a Pre-K playground, at a cost of $57,000 and similar timelines.
 

Board members and staff discussed student access and safety. Mr. Drew and other presenters detailed walking distances from classrooms to the playgrounds, noting that distances ranged from 125 to 400 feet depending on the classroom location. Josh emphasized that the state-mandated recess time does not count toward classroom learning time, so minimizing unnecessary walking was important. Dr. Cash noted that some classrooms had been rearranged during construction to optimize playground access, and Mr. Page highlighted that the school currently lacks a dedicated Pre-K playground.
 

Safety concerns and equipment age appropriateness were also discussed. Mr. Drew & Mr. Page confirmed that all structures met safety standards, but the mismatch in placement limited accessibility for the youngest students. Chairman Beaty and Mr. Taylor stressed that the taller equipment, while safe for K-2 students, was intended for older students and that correcting the placement aligned with both safety and student development goals. Principal Mrs. Grannon added that the four Pre-K classrooms would greatly benefit from having dedicated equipment to ensure age-appropriate play and support daily learning activities.
 

Cost and resource considerations were a key part of the discussion. Mrs. Casson and other board members reviewed the financial impact, noting that the district remained $300,000 under budget for the project. Several board members expressed concern about spending additional funds unnecessarily but agreed that the focus should remain on what is best for the students. The board also discussed the feasibility of temporarily fencing playground sections during construction and the process for safely disassembling equipment if relocation were chosen.
 

After thorough discussion, board members evaluated the options. Mr. Taylor proposed Option 1, which involved relocating the towers, but this motion, seconded by Mrs. Goins, failed. Mr. Smith then motioned for Option 2, leaving the current towers in place and adding a separate Pre-K playground, with Mrs. Lee seconding. This motion was approved, as it addressed student needs, minimized disruption, and provided a cost-effective solution while enhancing the playground experience for the youngest learners.
 

Chairman Beaty concluded the meeting by emphasizing the district’s responsibility to serve students effectively while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The decision to approve Option 2 ensures that all students, including Pre-K children, have safe, age-appropriate playground access. The board acknowledged that while the original plan had been disrupted, the approved solution supports both current and future student needs at Park View School.

Discussion: 




                                                                      
Vicki Beaty, Chairman



                                                                      
Dr. Linda Cash, Director of Schools