Families concerned about conditions at Powell Elementary School may talk directly with KCS Superintendent Jon Rysewyk from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Southern Kitchen Sandwich Co., 2307 W. Emory Road in Powell.
The Dutch-treat lunch is the second of Rysewyk’s “Lunch Break” outreach events. The first was Sept. 26 in Hardin Valley.
The press release reads: “KCS families and community members are invited …” So come on down. Maybe we’ll get some answers.
Powell Elementary PTA’s Facebook page has comments from several parents about the school, particularly with the new 1,100-homes Belltown development zoned to PES and Powell Middle schools (and Karns High).
I requested an interview for this story, but apparently the staff at Central Office were busy.
WBIR-TV reporter Olivia Dague wrote about Powell Elementary here. She quotes the county commissioner from District 7 saying it’s up to the school board, and the school board member saying there’s no money for Powell without funding from county commission. It’s a good story. I’m inviting Olivia to the Oct. 17 meeting.
PES concerns
Portable Classrooms: “We have 35-year-old portables that house our first and second graders,” according to the PTA post. “Air conditioning regularly goes out, and water leaks have caused holes in their floors. Mold grows on the ceiling vents from water issues not getting fixed. And when there are strong winds and heavy storms, all students in these portables are brought into the main school building – separated and placed in other classrooms, disrupting the learning cycle of more than just our first and second graders. One of the portables doesn’t have bathrooms, so in the case of a lockdown, there’s not one available to the students.”
Parking: “Parking overflow has increased substantially as the number of students continues to rise. We share a car rider line/parking lot with First Baptist Academy, and our traffic has increased so much that we are now mixing in with their lines.” According to the school’s website, there is 10-minute parking at the front door where all visitors must enter. Those who can’t find space or who plan to stay more than 10 minutes can park on the east or west side (but not the back) of the building – then walk around to the front door.
Wheelchair accessibility: PES lacks accessibility for several grades, according to the PTA. Parent Shay Berger posted: “All the children that need wheelchair or handicap access are sent to either Brickey or Karns since we cannot accommodate them. I’m sure that puts a strain on those schools as well for the extra students. I’d love to see PES become more inclusive and able to accommodate those children and families!”
Other concerns: “Right before the start of school, numerous teachers had to deal with temperatures that got up to 88 degrees inside their classrooms, bringing fans and trying to finish preparing for students while in miserable conditions.”
“Our fourth-grade hallway continuously deals with sewer issues and smells. Again, these are not ideal conditions in which to educate our children.”
Sandra Clark is founder of KnoxTNToday.