Sabrena SmedleyLast week, Hamilton County commissioners voted 9-0 to put more money on the table so East Hamilton School can finally build restrooms and a concessions facility for its football field.
When previously making a case to her fellow commissioners concerning the need for the additional funding, County Commissioner Sabrena Smedley, who represents the area, said the only facilities available for students on the football field right now are porta-potties, and replacing them is a need, not a want.
“It’s supposed to be the pride of the community and it’s got porta-potties all over the campus,” she said during the commissioners’ September meeting. “It’s beyond ridiculous and it’s absurd.”
Nearly 20 East Hamilton residents stood in support of the school, including parents, Principal Gail Chuy and School Board representative Joe Wingate. Among them was Anna Kate Stewart, a fifth-grader from Westview Elementary School who lost the use of her bladder after surgeries from birth complications.
“I am asking for your help with getting us bathrooms,” Anna Kate told the commission. “I am looking forward to going to school at East Hamilton next year, and hope that they have outdoor restrooms I can use and also for children and elderly people with same conditions.”
Plans for the middle/high school, built in 2009, did not include athletic fields, concession areas or restroom facilities when commissioners approved funds for its construction. As of November 2015, Smedley had dedicated $94,000 in discretionary money to build a facility that incorporated both restrooms and a concessions space. At the time, the project was estimated to cost $100,000.
Smedley said the additional $25,000 authorized last week was needed due to increases in construction prices.
“I’m ecstatic about the vote,” Smedley said after the meeting. “Needless to say, this is something I’ve been working on since I’ve been elected. I think this is good for the community as a whole, not just the students.”
Smedley said Chuy recently met with contractors about the restrooms.
“They are hoping to break ground immediately,” Smedley said.
Chuy could not be reached for comment.
The school’s baseball field also needs a restroom area, Smedley said, citing the long distance between the school and the two ball fields and expressing frustration over the use of portable restrooms across the East Hamilton campus.
Last week, Ashlie Henderson, vice president of Cane-Raisers, the school’s fundraising organization, told commissioners major capital projects like restrooms and parking lots proved insurmountable for her group.
The fundraisers will contribute $2,000 to the restroom project, Henderson said.
Smedley’s proposal calls for her to swap $25,000 of her district’s allocation of discretionary general fund money for $25,000 in capital bond debt. A state attorney general opinion issued last year said discretionary general funds cannot be used for school needs, but that capital bond money could.
Staff writer Myron Madden contributed to this story.