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FYI: Davis Pleased with Condition of Schools on First Day

The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named below, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right to choose what is published.
Aug. 29, 2005 – Senator Liston A. Davis, Chairman of the 26th Legislature's Committee on Education, Youth and Culture Monday toured the Evelyn Marcelli and Kirwan Terrace Elementary Schools as well as the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School. Davis said he wanted to see if concerns that were expressed by school officials on an earlier tour in February were addressed by Education Department officials. The senator emphasized that he did not tour the schools to be critical, but rather to see the progress. "I am happy to see that a lot of the work has been completed, and many of the teachers seem to be satisfied at what has taken place over the summer," Davis said.
Evelyn Marcelli School Principal Blanche Oliver Bello told the senator that quite a bit of work was done on the school over the summer but there are a few areas that still need to be addressed. She indicated that many of the ceilings in the classrooms were redone but there is still a problem with leaking due to the fact that major work needs to be done on the roof. However, she did point out that she understands that it is a capital improvement project and would need time to address the problem. Oliver-Bello also reiterated the urgent need of parking for her staff. At the rear of the elementary school there is an abandoned lot that needs to be cleaned out for use as a parking lot. The principal said that Public Works promised that they would come and clean it out in time for the start of school, but that did not happen. Senator Davis promised to follow up.
The senator then toured the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and was greeted by Principal Yvonne Pilgrim who said for the most part she was satisfied with repairs at the school during the summer. However, Principal Pilgrim told the senator that a decision needs to be made concerning the future of the school. "We are either going to close down this school and build a new one or just stay here. A decision needs to be made," Pilgrim said. Senator Davis agreed saying, "without a definitive answer on what we are going to do it is creating a hardship on the staff and students of Addelita Canryn."
Finally, Senator Davis visited the Kirwan Terrace Elementary School where Principal Whitmore Browne said many of the maintenance problems at the school were addressed over the summer. He pointed out that there is leakage and mold on some areas of the roof; he is pleased with the progress that was made. Many of the classrooms at the school were brightly decorated and many of the teachers indicated that they spent "money out of their own pockets" to beautify and spruce up the classrooms.
"While there remain major concerns with the schools that I visited today, I must say that I am very satisfied that many of the cosmetic issues at these schools were addressed," Davis concluded.

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