Bradley County board keeps large Parkview playgrounds in place, adds pre‑K equipment for $7,000 net

The Bradley County Board of Education on Oct. 20 voted to keep two large playground structures at Parkview Elementary where they were installed and to add a pre‑K play area, a decision that implements Option 2 at a net cost to the district of $7,000 after a $15,000 contribution from the project architect and civil engineer.

The vote followed a lengthy discussion over three options presented by project staff: disassemble and relocate both tower structures to their originally intended locations (Option 1, net $35,000 and about three weeks of manufacturer work); leave the towers where they currently sit and add an age‑appropriate pre‑K section (Option 2, net $7,000 and four to six weeks for fabrication and installation); or do both (Option 3, net $57,000). A motion to approve Option 1 failed on a 5–2 roll call; a subsequent motion for Option 3 failed for lack of a second. The board then adopted Option 2 by roll call.

Why it mattered: staff and several board members said the equipment was installed on the opposite sides of the…