Special Report - Kiwanians feel the heat at South

Kiwanians feel the heat at South School

By Bob Robinson

An hour was long enough for most visitors Wednesday… fans tried to help but the temperature in South School, especially on the fourth floor and in the basement, began to take its toll.

Greenville Kiwanis accepted an invitation from Greenville City Schools and toured South School for its Wednesday meeting. Despite a relatively mild day, and still early, most visitors enjoyed the break outside as Supt. Susie Riegle and Asst. Supt. Jon McGreevy, conducted one of many tours to interested residents. The district’s goal is to build support for its Aug. 3 bond issue.

Photos can’t tell the tale as many of the issues – lack of space, high utility and maintenance costs, asbestos issues, four levels with no handicap mobility, evacuation concerns and student comfort – can’t easily be recorded.

Kiwanians met in the cafeteria-gym-auditorium for a lunch provided by Eikenberry’s. There were comments about the heat before the group left to begin its tour.

Riegle and McGreevy spoke to the group for about 20 minutes, discussing the concerns of providing an education to South students. McGreevy noted that, even in winter, the heat can’t be regulated in either South or the Junior High. He said that it could be 15 degrees outside and windows on upper floors would still have to be opened.

“As with all old buildings, we also have asbestos issues,” said McGreevy. “We spend $2,400 every year just to have it checked by a specialist.”

He said the asbestos is in the older tiled floor areas, plus the ceilings. It is not a threat as long as the integrity of the area is not impacted. He added, however, that about a year and a half ago, a water line break pulled up some tiles in one of the rooms.

“It was cordoned off and people in asbestos suits had to clean it up.” Staff and students were required to stay a safe distance away until the area was determined to be “safe.”

Reigle talked about space and handicap accessibility.

Federal law requires a district to “teach” all students, regardless of their needs. Since classrooms and other services have been placed in every available space that could be found, and there is no elevator, they have to be moved from floor to floor as needs – such as wheelchairs – dictate.

There is also no space to handle some of the “special” needs – completely unrelated to education – that the District will be facing in the near future.

McGreevy noted that in addition to maintenance costs, utilities are also an issue. Providing utilities to an energy-efficient structure will cost about half of the cost in South and the Junior High.

During the tour, McGreevy said that the fire marshal inspects the building each year prior to the start of school. He later makes an unannounced inspection to make sure required corrections have been completed.

The District spends a considerable amount of its budget to insure the safety of its students… within the limitations of the structure itself.

The real story, however, was in the tour. As the heat built, Kiwanians toured increasingly cramped spaces where Greenville 5^th and 6^th graders receive their education each year.

The only computer lab is in the basement, accessible by two one-way staircases. Classes are held on the fourth floor, accessible by similarly tight one-way wooden staircases nearly 100 years old.

There are four bathrooms, two of which are in the basement. There are three window air conditioners… the office, the principal’s office and the computer server room. The electrical system is not capable of handling additional power usage.

Space was at a premium, with storage being used in every space that could be found. Security is also an issue as the entrance has to be locked because it is not visible by an adult.

“Security was not considered an issue a hundred years ago,” said Riegle. “It is today.”

Despite the conditions and potential safety concerns, Greenville students and staff are proud of their district. Wave pride was noted throughout the building, on the walls and with many student-created decorations.

South will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday for anyone interested in seeing where their children and grandchildren are currently being educated.

Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive notification of his comments, opinions and reports when they are posted, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.