Board approves adding pre‑K playground equipment at Parkview; larger towers remain in place

The Bradley County Board of Education on Oct. 20 voted 6–1 to adopt an option that keeps two large playground structures in their current, unintended locations at Parkview Elementary and to add a separate pre‑K play section, a decision the board said will cost the district a net $7,000 after a $15,000 contribution from the architect/engineer team.

The vote, taken at a special called meeting, resolved a months‑long construction misplacement in which the district’s taller play structure and a shorter structure rated for ages 2–12 were installed on opposite sides of the new Parkview campus from the locations originally planned. Board members debated three options: (1) disassemble and relocate the two large towers to their originally intended sides (net cost $35,000 to the district); (2) leave the towers in place and add a pre‑K play section (net cost $7,000); or (3) both relocate the towers and add the pre‑K section (net cost $57,000). The board adopted option 2.

Why it matters

Parkview has four preschool classrooms — including CDC (special needs) pre‑K sections — and school officials and some board members said pre‑K students need equipment rated and sized for younger children. Principal Jody Granon told the board, “We have 4 preschool classrooms currently, which is more than any other Bradley County…