Friday September 3, 2010
County can't ban swings, because the state requires playgrounds have them
Cabell reverses decision on playground safety after learning of BOE rule
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Cabell County elementary school students can keep on swinging.
Cabell County Schools announced Thursday that its plan to remove swing sets from elementary schools goes against state policy. A statement posted on the school system's website says school officials discovered that the West Virginia Board of Education requires swings at centers offering kindergarten programs.
Kindergarten programs are offered at all Cabell County elementary schools.
Schools safety manager Tim Stewart said earlier this week that swing sets would be removed starting this fall due to recent lawsuits and cost concerns over properly maintaining the protective barriers around them.
Superintendent William A. Smith said the school system is working to ensure it's in compliance with both the state policy and playground safety standards. But he said the issue of school systems' liability remains.
"I believe our experience has shed a light on a question of law that must be addressed by our state's legislative bodies,'' Stewart said in the statement.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Cabell County elementary school students can keep on swinging.
Cabell County Schools announced Thursday that its plan to remove swing sets from elementary schools goes against state policy. A statement posted on the school system's website says school officials discovered that the West Virginia Board of Education requires swings at centers offering kindergarten programs.
Kindergarten programs are offered at all Cabell County elementary schools.
Schools safety manager Tim Stewart said earlier this week that swing sets would be removed starting this fall due to recent lawsuits and cost concerns over properly maintaining the protective barriers around them.
Superintendent William A. Smith said the school system is working to ensure it's in compliance with both the state policy and playground safety standards. But he said the issue of school systems' liability remains.
"I believe our experience has shed a light on a question of law that must be addressed by our state's legislative bodies,'' Stewart said in the statement.
