Argyle Elementary Accused of Unsanitary Conditions
School administrators under scrutiny via recent school board meeting comments.
During the Clay County School Board meeting on February 1st, 2024, shocking allegations were made about the living conditions at a local elementary school. A parent from Argyle Elementary School spoke directly to the board during the public comment position of the meeting.
Adam Warren took full advantage of the three minutes of speaking time to paint a picture of a school filled with startling issues. No soap, no paper towels for hand washing. Teachers forced to supply toilet paper for the school restrooms. General cleanliness and hygiene were said to be ‘well below health department standards.’ Due to the inoperable water fountains, students have been urged to bring water bottles to school.
Per Warren, the issues with cleanliness and bathrooms were blamed on the school’s new head custodian. Despite repeated conversations with school board members and administrators, the issues remain six months into the school year.
In addition to the cleanliness issue, Warren claims the school’s principal is mismanaging the school and creating an environment with ‘no identity.’ The school mascot is the ‘Pioneer,’ and Warren states the school administration has forbidden the use of the mascot by school staff.
Field trips were another point of contention, as allegedly, the school principal canceled trips meant as rewards for good grades and behavior and failed to approve other field trip requests promptly.
The last point of emphasis was staffing; the most significant concern was the school’s lack of a librarian and certified nurse on campus for large portions of the school year. The staffing issues allegedly cost the school 20 teachers this year, and there is concern that many more will leave at the end of the school year.
Clay News & Views has not been able to verify all of the claims made independently, but a social media post making rounds lends credence to at least some of the concerns about bathrooms and water fountains.
After the parent spoke, board member Erin Skipper commended him for speaking up publicly. At the end of the meeting, board member Mary Bolla acknowledged she had been made aware of the conditions at the school. Clay News & Views contacted Bolla, who declined to add additional comments.
It is unclear at this point who in the school district administration was aware of the issues at Argyle Elementary and what actions, if any, were taken.
An email was also sent to Terri Dennis, who handles media inquiries for the school district. Clay New & Views will update this story as the situation evolves.
Adam Warren has spread the news the principal has been reassign for the upcoming 24-25 year and the teacher who advocated Mrs. Stanhope is being asked to leave the school. Hoping for a better principal, but Mrs. Stanhope should be allowed to remain at Argyle as we need educators like her at the school.
The principal is a disgrace and needs to be fired . Also many kids are going to other schools out of frustration.