Work at Ridgeway Elementary School on track to be finished next month, parents voice concerns
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Public Schools is still working toward the goal of having construction work finished next month at Ridgeway Elementary.
CPS approved a $100,000 contract with PlayPower LT Inc. for work to be done at the school during one of its meetings in May. The work began on May 13 and is expected to be completed by Sept. 15, according to the agreement.
Social media posts from the Ridgeway Elementary PTSA Outreach group show some parents are frustrated about ongoing work as the school year approaches.
Lyndsy Richardson has two children that attend the school and said she’s unhappy about the slow progress being made at the school and doesn’t feel progress is being made unless parents take initiative.
“We’ve had ongoing construction at Ridgeway for a year now…last year, the kids operated off of a playground that was probably a third of the playground just because we lost so much of it to the new bus loop,” Richardson said. “Now they have to walk through the bus loop to get to the other side, to play on the field, or to access the garden boxes.”
CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News via email Monday afternoon that there is ongoing construction at the school related to the installation of a bus loop near the playground area.
Baumstark also wrote a new set for the playground has been purchased, but wont be installed until September.
“There are other pieces of play equipment that are available until the additional new set is installed in a few weeks. We have some other project elements that are slated to be completed before the start of the school year. With construction, things have to happen in a certain order,” Baumstark said.
Chief Operating Officer Lazell Ofield said there aren’t any issues with the playground structure as it is, and children can safely play on it. He said the wrapping up on work this week and installing fences and coordinating with contractors on remaining site items.
Ofield also said the district is taking steps toward being more transparent.
“I have got an opportunity to meet with the parents at their PTA meetings to give them an update throughout this project and so we really want to make sure that we’re being transparent and making sure that we inform our families of the work that’s going on at their site,” Ofield said.
An email was sent out to parents regarding the timeline of the project on Monday around 7 p.m.
Richardson said in addition to better communication, she’d like to see better planning.
“Not having one construction company who may come in at the lowest bid that’s not always the right answer. Find somebody who’s going to do quality work and is going to do it effectively and efficiently,” Richardson said.
The Columbia Board of Education also approved the addition of 2-gas meter bollards, a playground gate and repairs to the existing retaining wall at the school.
Board members also unanimously approved a contract to replace the exterior doors at Rock Bridge High School and voted 5-1 to approve a student transfer policy. Board President John Lyman abstained from the vote.