Lately I have been really disappointed in the appearance of Ames Elementary School. My kids went to this school decades ago, and I must admit that it made a much better impression than it does today. This morning I walked behind the school where the parking lot and student dropoff is and was shocked to see tons of salt spilled all over the sidewalk. We haven’t had any meaningful snow lately to justify this irresponsible excessive salt dump. Not only will kids track this into the school and their parents’ cars but the damage to the environment and waterways is well known. I would be surprised if the grass and plantings along the building wall survive.
Another concern is the playground area. Several months ago a heavy layer of wood chips was put down over the open area north of the basketball courts. Big mistake. The wood chips are now scattered all over the brick walkway and quickly clogged the storm drain there. The storm drain is covered by wood chips and can’t even be seen now. This whole area should have had artificial turf installed in the beginning instead of the grass that quickly turned to mud under the trampling of little feet.
Certainly the amount of our property taxes we pay that goes to the school district will allow it to hire better maintenance staff who actually care about the school grounds and how it reflects on the school and its staff. Right now, it is just an embarrassment.
Ray Lutha