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257 <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Merical of 108 Village Court, a parent of two <br />children at Johnson, stated that the proposed construction is <br />just a few feet from classrooms and she felt it was too much <br />to ask the principal to monitor the construction <br />restrictions. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dempsey, 702 Highland Avenue, expressed concern <br />about the safety of the children at Johnson, especially when <br />the fenced in area of the parking lot is used when the <br />playground is muddy. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Dunbar, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, <br />stated that while he appreciated the concern expressed by <br />parents of Johnson students, the concerns were discussed in <br />September with the principal and a meeting just recently held <br />to discuss the issue, and a decision had been made to delay <br />certain portions of the renovation until summer. Mr. Dunbar <br />stated that he felt comfortable with the proposed renovation <br />scheduled and did not think the school program at Johnson <br />would be disrupted provided the renovations go forward as <br />planned. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Peacock, Budget Administrator for the City, <br />explained that the renovation would have no impact on <br />Johnson's playground~ the major work would be done in the <br />kitchen, no sanding of paint was scheduled, trucks would be <br />restricted to certain hours, and she was confident noise <br />would be kept to a minimum and the project could go forward <br />safely. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano regarding the <br />implications of delaying the renovations, Ms. Peacock stated <br />that seniors as well as other citizens and youth would be <br />unable to use the facility until renovations are complete. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he felt the following issues <br />were involved: 1) concern that more people were not aware of <br />the proposed renovation; 2) what precisely are the safety <br />issues; and 3) what attempts have been made to meet with <br />parents. Mr. Toscano proposed that parents meet with City <br />and School staff over the next two weeks to see where there <br />is agreement and disagreement and then have the issue return <br />to Council to determine whether the renovation should be <br />delayed or not. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he would favor delaying the <br />renovations if the renovations were found to present a health <br />hazard to the children. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix recommended that the PTO appoint a committee <br />of parents to meet with the staff to discuss the matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Santoski stated that what he has heard from parents <br />indicates they are not willing to negotiate the matter and <br />just want the construction delayed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever requested that the parents try to <br />understand that there are competing needs involved in the <br />issue and urged the PTO to appoint parents to meet to discuss <br />the matter further. <br /> <br /> Mr. Alphonso Dudley, a resident of the 10th and Page <br />neighborhood, noted that the drug problem has moved back into <br />his neighborhood and urged the City to enforce the curfew <br />laws. <br /> <br /> Ms. Laura Parmenter stated that she believed regulations <br />existed which govern construction in schools. Ms. Parmenter <br />stated that she felt providing memberships to City staff to <br />attend the Atlantic Coast Athletic Club and to attend a <br />smoking program which involves the use of patches to help <br />people stop smoking were a waste of taxpayers' money. <br /> <br /> <br />