Advertisement

Action's still needed at Floyd Elementary

 
Published June 19, 1993|Updated Oct. 9, 2005

Editor: After attending the June 15 School Board meeting, I feel compelled to let the parents and taxpayers of Hernando County know just where their tax dollars are going.

To reiterate the 1992-93 school year, over $700,000 was paid out to repair the (climate control) system and the mold and mildew problems at J.D. Floyd Elementary School. The best consultants, teams, air conditioning technicians, etc., were hired to repair the problems with an on-site inspector from our school facilities to make sure all the work was completed and to give us a "clean bill of air."

Several weeks ago, I contacted Jim Polk, who is in charge of facilities for the district. I questioned him about a specific room in the cafeteria at Floyd, and as to why the main chiller in the school has not been fixed in over a year. A large bucket lies under the chiller to catch the dripping water. Hopefully, the janitor or anyone passing this room checks periodically to empty this bucket.

There is mold and mildew on the ceiling tiles. The floor tiles have all come apart because of the leaking chiller, the curtains on the stage are wet and have a white chalky film all over them due to the mold. And the art room, music room and library have had major leaks in the ceilings for the past several months. The facilities department has been notified about these leaks and nothing has been done.

A St. Petersburg Times reporter interviewed Jim Polk several weeks ago and he stated that they would be working on these problems at Floyd this summer. I also asked Jim Polk about this several weeks ago and he told me these remaining problems would be resolved this summer. He specifically told me this was part of a Phase III program that was to be completed this summer at Floyd.

For the record, I questioned him again Tuesday night at the board meeting. He said he did not guarantee any work to be done this summer at Floyd. He also stated that the wet curtains were supposed to be wet as part of a fire prevention measure. Please, does he think I was born under a rock?

Finally, he said they were waiting to see if any more money could come from the capital outlay budget. The $700,000 that was budgeted and paid out was to include the entire cost of repairs. Where did the money go?

Nancy Gordon, chairwoman of the School Board, was absolutely courteous to me regarding these questions. She asked Jim Polk to look into this and get back to the board. I certainly hope he does so in a timely fashion.

I do believe Mrs. Gordon and the other board members have no idea that the problems at Floyd have not been resolved. I do not find fault with any of the School Board members regarding this matter. But I do find fault with Jim Polk for trying to push this under the table and for not owning up to his promises to me, parents, taxpayers and the press.

I also hope that (School Superintendent) Dr. Harold Winkler will take charge of this because Polk works for him. Please, let's not have another battle and waste taxpayers' money. I hope we will have some concrete information by the next School Board meeting.

Mary Jo Artura

Spring Hill

Don't knock the chief, Brooksville is the best

Editor: I support Brooksville Police Chief Tincher. I don't know the man personally, and although I live in a rural section of Hernando County, I have been in Brooksville most every day for more than 10 years, for business, shopping, etc.

I've got to tell you, compared with all the other places I've been, Brooksville is the best. You can drive around with your car windows open and feel safe and at home day or night, due in no small measure to the professional presence of Chief Tincher.

Don't kick a winner.

Herb Shapiro

Brooksville

Bravo to all who were part of Country Fun Day

Editor: Recently the family of Brooksville Elementary School took part in the Country Fun Day, sponsored by the Brooksville Kiwanis Club.

Country Fun Day was a wonderful family event that provided an opportunity for parents, teachers, students and members of the community to interact in a positive, non-academic setting. In addition, the event helped Brooksville, Eastside and Moton Elementary schools by raising money to be used for specific projects at each of the schools.

Many thanks to the Kiwanis Club for sponsoring this worthwhile event. Thanks to School Board member Susan Cooper and her family for providing the facility for the event and to all the parents, faculty, staff, Kiwanians and members of the community who volunteered time and money to make Country Fun Day a tremendous success.

Thomas Nuzzi, principal

Brooksville

Elementary School

School dance was success and a pleasure

Editor: Another year for the Hernando High School graduates and once again I feel fortunate to have been part of their lives in a small way on graduation night.

With the support of Sue Biggart and her "Sober Education" project, the Brooksville Noon Lions Club offering to host the party, and the Pepsi-Cola Company supplying the drinks, we had a successful party once again.

The parents of the Class of '93 went above and beyond to make the evening the greatest ever. The prizes and activities were the best. The tickets were accounted for at the door at the end of the evening and the total was 285. The attendance was great, so you can see why I am proud of our youth.

Dianne Becker and Steve Graffinger, our loyal artists, were kept busy all evening drawing the students' profiles. Volleyball was played, the disc jockey kept them dancing, loads of prizes were awarded from our merchants, food galore was donated by the parents and the Lions Club was kept busy frying hamburgers. You can see why it was so successful.

I would like to thank the merchants who helped make the party the best one ever. What a terrific group.

I would like to end this letter by saying I received so much more again this year by touching the lives of many people, the moms and dads of the senior class, the Lions Club, the artists and others behind the scenes. I will never forget them, and most importantly, won't forget the 1993 graduates. It was my pleasure to work for them. They were a great bunch.

Julia Jenkins

Brooksville

Roads are unsafe

for safe drivers

Editor: I just got back from Rhode Island, where I spent a week. I was surprised at the number of traffic police out on the roads. No one came zipping out of side roads or zooming down the streets. People were using their vehicles for transportation, not for speed races.

But I don't feel safe anymore! When I get ready to leave the house, I sit at the wheel tense and ready for action. Even getting out of the driveway is a moment of fear. Beads of sweat drip from my brow as I drive to and from my destination. If I'm going the speed limit, I get hissed at and nearly bumped off the road. Funny part is, I meet up with these road runners at the next traffic light.

Take Deltona Boulevard, for instance. What a great speedway this has turned out to be. And, surprisingly, many of the speeders are women. Are they late for work, appointments, or just getting with it? I even had a young woman with a baby propped up in the back seat zoom past me in a 40 mph speed zone.

What's the big hurry?

If if takes police, let's get them out there. And for vandalism, too! We need more police.

Cecelia E. Freer

Spring Hill