Penny Sales Tax projects are approved by school board, New Ellenton says Greendale Elementary has been overlooked.

Members of the New Ellenton City Council appeared at a July 16 Aiken County Public School District Board of Education meeting to talk about the Penny Sales Tax — and to express their thoughts that Greendale Elementary School has been overlooked in the project selection process.

At the meeting, board members voted to approve a resolution that states that if the Penny Sales Tax is reimposed by voters in November, the tax will fund capital improvements for South Aiken High School, Midland Valley High School, North Augusta Middle School, Silver Bluff High School, plus the addition of a new elementary school in Area Three, which is in the Graniteville area.

New Ellenton council member Geneva Jackson brought attention to health concerns at Greendale Elementary School during this meeting. According to Jackson, Greendale has an unrepaired, leaking roof which could bring mildew, mold and fungus growth.

Additionally, she mentioned that another issue at Greendale is “what seems to be sewer gas in the hallways.” Jackson said that she was referring to hydrogen sulfide, and said that this gas “has a range of tremendous effects for humans” including eye irritation, shortness of breath, depression and seizures.

“The council is asking that these issues be addressed as soon as possible since there was no resolution to include Greendale in the round of funding. We would appreciate you all taking responsibility and having concern for the students of Greendale to address these problems,” she said.

Jackson’s fellow council member James Anderson said that Greendale was promised a decade ago by the school district to get needed improvements. “Greendale Elementary has been looked over once again,” he said.

He mentioned that the City of New Ellenton feels they may be left with no option but to “explore the possibility” of investing in the construction of a new charter school in the area.

“We feel like we’ve been left behind,” he said.

Board members Dwight Smith and Jim Broome, who were vocal about their concern for Gloverville Elementary and Greendale at the most recent board meeting, responded to these public participation comments before the sales tax resolution was approved.

“I have a concern that’s coming out of Area Three — my area — that we may wind up in the long run closing some schools in Area Three… we do not want to see our schools close,” said Smith.

“I voted against the project list. I think, New Ellenton has come tonight, and they have sort of solidified the reason I voted against it… we’re supposed to be for all the people in the district, all the kids. I’m here for the kids… I got on this school board because our area was tremendously overlooked.”

Board member John Bradley said, “The problem, anytime we try to deal with this, is that the need is significantly greater than the resources. We just don’t have enough money to do everything that is needed to be done.”