HENRICO, Va. – Students, teachers and parents hope that Tuckahoe Middle School will get the $30 million needed to upgrade a school that was built in 1958.
In fact, a group is on a mission they have dubbed Operation Squeaky Wheel – in hope their huge effort will attract the needed attention.
“Just the age of the school you want sidewalks to be up to par,” said Kay Larkin. “You want classrooms with those pretty windows -- not to have window AC units making noise, so you can hear the teachers.”
“Those are some the comments you get from students,” she added.
Parents sent more than 300 letters to Henrico County school leaders that addressed safety, what they called a substandard learning environment and health concerns, like cockroaches that they said students have to deal with regularly
“The county has had the letters a week and they have addressed the issues about pest control and security, they've been fixing the PA system, the phone system, and fixed some broken security cameras,” said Tuckahoe Middle PTA President Laura Pleasants."We are thrilled they reacted so quickly to our immediate needs."
“Still there's more that needs to be done…that will take a lot longer," she added.
“We want to be as responsive as we can to concerns that can be resolved quickly...,”spokesman Andy Jenks said. “Now if we are talking about overall renovation of a school--that takes a little more time.”
The school is an item listed on the Capital Improvement agenda for the 2017-18 school year, but with no specified funding source.
“The county usually goes to our people for a bond referendum to pay for such a significant expense,” Jenks explained.
“I feel they've been able to find it for other schools they can find it for ours,” said parent Karen Phillips.
“We have done our half to help other schools to be renovated and repaired so it's our time now.”
