BUTLER — The Clear Fork Valley School Board announced earlier this week it has enough additional funds to build a new ADA compliant playground at both its newly constructed elementary schools.
That revelation did not please some parents.
Butler resident Kelly Donaldson, who had applied for the grant that funded the majority of the former Butler Elementary School playground, would rather have it reinstalled at the new building. Donaldson attended the April 8 school board meeting for another reason and was shocked to learn the playground would be replaced after a mere six years.
“As the agenda moved forward, there was mention of scrapping the six-year-old ADA playground equipment. I raised my hand and asked that this be repeated. I did this because no one, including our superintendent, was on the board at the time this grant was awarded,” Donaldson recalled. “I interjected and stated that I was the person who wrote and worked for that grant, and I don’t understand why it wasn’t being reinstalled.
“The attitude of the board ignited an anger inside me so I let everyone know the effort I put forth.”
She explained how she had filled out the “Access for All Kids” grant application on behalf of Butler Elementary in 2013 and won $25,000 from The Clorox Foundation. The school received the “Judge’s Choice” award.
The Butler Parents Club then contributed $13,000 more towards the playground, according to Donaldson.
The playset was installed in summer 2013 and celebrated at a ribbon cutting in September 2013, where former principal, Matt Caputto called it “truly a community project.”
Superintendent Janice Wycoff told Richland Source that initially the district had intended to reinstall the former playground.
“But we’ve come to find out that additional funds are there, and we are able to provide a brand new handicap-accessible playground for the school,” Wycoff said. “I feel like everyone’s hearts are in the right place.
“We totally respect what the community put together in 2013. It was a fantastic playground, and we took everything out, made sure it was available to go back in, but this opportunity is just incredible.”
The district, she estimated, has about $158,000 to devote to the new playground. It will be ADA compliant and “accessible to all,” Wycoff said.
The fate of the former playset is yet to be determined.
“It won’t leave the village of Butler,” Wycoff said. “We may donate it to a park or may put it where the old building is being demolished to make a park there.”
For now, she intends to keep it in case the new playground needs an additional piece or two.
Donaldson’s concern with moving the playset elsewhere is that it could create a “segregated” space.
“(It) defeats the whole purpose of inclusion among the students. I don’t believe the residents in either community — Bellville or Butler — want to see those innocent babies denied a basic childhood pleasure.”
She hopes the school board will reconsider its decision.
