New school lacks ballfield, playground

Grayson Highlands School opened Aug. 16, but it was without a playground or ball field — and that worries at least one parent and some school board members.
Grayson County School Board Vice Chairman Shannon Holdaway said during a meeting Aug. 9 that the school system needs to grade and level land at the school for a ball field.

Larry Chambers

Grayson Highlands School

Maintenance Supervisor Roy Anders said that he's in the process of getting quotes for the cost of the project.
Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Thomas noted that the original project cost never included grading the area for a ball field.
She said that the school system purchased additional land in anticipation of a ball field and playground for students. She said that Principal John Alexander is working to get volunteers and donations for the playground and equipment. “That will be something that will take some time,” she said.
Holdaway said that he thought the field would at least be flattened as part of the school facility project.
“I would personally like, at the next meeting, to have an idea of the cost,” he said. “I can't imagine opening the school and not having the ground flattened out, ready to sow grass.”
The grading of the ball field “should've gone with the school all along,” School Board Member Gary Burris said.
School Board Member Hobert Bailey said he feels a playground area is “more important right now.” A ball field needs to be at least leveled this year, he said. “You grade it this year, to play on it next,” he said.
Thomas said that until the playground and ball field are ready, students at Grayson Highlands have a full-sized gym. Boy Scouts also erected a climbing wall at the school, she said.
“I think we're remiss if we don't flatten the ground while the equipment is there,” Holdaway stressed. “It's going to be cheaper now than it will ever be.”
Anders said he would bring estimates for leveling the ball field to the September meeting.
During a public comment portion of the meeting, parent James Hayes noted that, while younger students need a playground, the teenaged students “won't be too pleased sitting around on a see-saw.”
He wants the school to serve all ages of students.
“It's a nice school, built fantastic,” Hayes said. “These kids deserve a playground and a ball field.”