Bessemer Community Raises Alarm Over Hazardous Conditions at Charles F. Hard Elementary School

Bessemer Community Voice Concerns Over School Conditions

Bessemer, AL – At a recent meeting of the Bessemer Board of Education, the severity of plumbing issues at Charles F. Hard Elementary School was brought to light by Debra Amamoo, a special education teacher at the school. Her comments during the public comment portion of the meeting painted a troubling picture of conditions that have affected students and faculty alike.

Severe Plumbing Issues Highlighted

Amamoo recounted a distressing incident from earlier this year when flooding in the school’s hallway turned into a crisis after raw sewage contaminated not only the hallway but also classrooms, including the sensory room crucial for some students’ learning experiences. “The entire hallway was flooded. Classrooms including our sensory room were contaminated with raw sewage,” Amamoo stated, clearly frustrated by the situation.

Impact on Students

The flooding resulted in the sensory room being unavailable to students for several months, a significant loss considering the room’s importance for those needing sensory integration. “Up until last week, when I took it upon myself to bring a change of clothes to school, bleach and cleaning materials to try to sanitize and clean what I could and put out the materials that were contaminated,” Amamoo explained. “It’s been sitting there since February, and we could do absolutely nothing with it because of the plumbing issues.”

Call for Action

Amamoo expressed her deep concern for the situation and described it as “quite ridiculous,” urging the board to take action. Unfortunately, her time to speak was cut short at the meeting, as she exceeded the three-minute limit for public comments. However, Board Member Renna Soles-Scott acknowledged that she had brought this issue before the board in the past, indicating that it has been an ongoing problem that remains unresolved.

Board Responses

In response to Amamoo’s comments, Board President Terry Dawson directed Superintendent Dr. Arreola and Dr. Daniel Boyd to follow up with her regarding her concerns and provide the board with an update. This step taken by the board may indicate a recognition of the critical issues presented by Amamoo and a willingness to engage with staff to find resolutions.

Broader Concerns

The situation at Charles F. Hard Elementary School is part of a larger pattern of ongoing challenges facing the Bessemer school system, which has been under state intervention for several months. Community members have been vocal about their frustrations regarding the school district’s persistent issues, which they feel have not been adequately addressed.

As concerns continue to mount over the state of schools in Bessemer, the engagement of teachers and parents remains essential for pushing for improvements. The conditions at Charles F. Hard serve as a reminder of the urgent need for attention toward school facilities and student needs within the community.

Next Steps

Amamoo’s brave act of addressing the board demonstrates her commitment to her students, highlighting not just a teacher’s advocacy, but the **collective concern** of dedicated educators and parents hoping to see tangible improvements in the educational environment. The board’s response will be critical in determining how quickly the issues can be resolved. Community members are left hoping for swift actions that will ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.