School Painting Controversy In Augusta

Get a life.

Verona Elementary just got a fresh coat of paint during September and early October. All of our student and faculty members survived and the school looks great! I am thankful that Augusta County is willing to pay for maintenance staff and painters in these rough economic times.

Failing to see the problem. It's not like they are going to be painting right on top of the kids or anything.

If your kid has asthma, make sure she carries her inhaler. If your kid is lactose intolerant, you don't ban milk from the school, you tell your kid not to drink it. In this case, tell your kid not to huff paint...

As a parent of 2 students at Stump I think that this whole incident has been blown completely out of proportion. Amidst all the budget cutbacks and financial downfalls that the school system has suffered over the past year, I think it's great that our school board takes an interest in making sure our schools are presentable and suitable for our students. So what if the kids get displaced from their classrooms for a day ....my 5th grader had to have class on the stage yesterday. And guess what ... He SURVIVED. By the way both of my children suffer from asthma and neither one of them has had any issues with the paint fumes. If this grandparent thinks the painting is going to propose that much of a health hazard for her child... then keep them at home. Stump Elementary is a GREAT school with amazing staff. I truly appreciate all that they do for the greater education of our children!!!!!

Let them paint, the school system has a logical and common sense plan to do the painting without causing issues. I say go for it let common sense rule!

Jude wrote:

Failing to see the problem. It's not like they are going to be painting right on top of the kids or anything.
If your kid has asthma, make sure she carries her inhaler. If your kid is lactose intolerant, you don't ban milk from the school, you tell your kid not to drink it. In this case, tell your kid not to huff paint...

Don't you know its illegal for kids to carry their inhalers at school?

Laura wrote:

<quoted text>
Don't you know its illegal for kids to carry their inhalers at school?

And that makes a helluva lot of sense...by the time the nurse can get it to them, they're done...

Augusta Schools are taking a legal chance by going against the EPA; paint irritants are not the same as magic markers. Tax dollars are paying for this painting and any lawsuits that arise. Better not have any lead.

I am so glad to see someone stand up for the childs welfare and put an end to this hazard event. You are a brave person to go on TV and fight for your childs health. Thankfully your child is not there to inhale this fumes! Most people would be in it only to cause trouble and make a name for themselves. I'm glad someone put a stop to this before it went any further. LOL, NO WAIT!! THIS IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE!! Sorry MOM

Just how is it that Augusta Schools can afford the extra expense at this time? Seems to me the money could have been used for education.

Jim wrote:

Just how is it that Augusta Schools can afford the extra expense at this time? Seems to me the money could have been used for education.

maintenance budget doesn't do much for buying schoolbooks and paper.

Jim wrote:

Just how is it that Augusta Schools can afford the extra expense at this time? Seems to me the money could have been used for education.

Or how about using alittle of that money to give the employees a cost of living raise

RU4 REAL wrote:

<quoted text>
Or how about using alittle of that money to give the employees a cost of living raise

RU4 Real and Jim-Your question/comments were both answered by Laughing.

Let's face facts, children learn better when they have a clean, organized classroom with nice bright walls. It can be compared to the home they live in, if they have slobs for parents, they learn to emulate them.

actually, this little media burst is going to hurt the schools more than anything. Now due to the extra attention, they're going to have to spend extra money to make everyone happy, so even LESS chance of those raises and such now.
It's going to take that 3 man crew a while to get all the work done now...

your telling me that they can not find enough man power to paint the school over the summer? Wow jobless rate must have really dropped.

abcd wrote:

your telling me that they can not find enough man power to paint the school over the summer? Wow jobless rate must have really dropped.

in most cases the manpower will drop during the summer, you don't have the on-site staffing you do during the school year. No students=no rush=county schools will send out manpower as needed.

Come on folks. A three man paint crew is deciding the issue? Sub-contract the work during the summer and get it done without working around students and teachers. It'll probably be done better and cheaper.

I would love to have this much time on my hands! Does this mother not have anything else to do? Is this actually newsworthy? My children have attended Augusta Co. Schools for years and most of them DO need a facelift. HOw refreshing that Stump Elem children will have a clean, attractive place to learn.How sad that these parents have taken to sensationalizing without the facts and without solid evidence. I'm sure future teachers will draw straws to NOT have this family's child in their classes due to these parents whining. What a shame! And, Hats Off to Dr. Bishop for his accurate reporting of the facts and straight forward response. This, too, is a refreshing change for Augusta Co.

I think this is dumb. The only way the kids are actually going to be in danger, is if they are attempting to lick the wall...and I highly doubt that is going to happen. Most children don't go around smelling the paint...I also think that the school systems know what they are talking about. If it was a real danger they wouldn't be doing it now would they? If you're so concerned with the consequences of the paint, then just home school your child. Honestly, this whole situation is lame.

So... I've been a student in Augusta County schools since i was in kindergarten and each of the three schools I've been through have encountered numerous paint jobs. While I was in school. And I'm doin' juuust fine. I actually feel bad for the kid in this situation - I can't imagine what people would say to me if my mom was causing such a ruckus over ummm, paint. It's not like everyone else isn't dealing with it. That's gotta be embarrassing. And as a side note to the media; how is this even making the news!? This's mad pathetic.