TOP PHOTO: Playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities are being upgraded around Campbell County at its elementary and middle schools. The $500,000 project is being funded through federal monies from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Campbell County Schools playground equipment project is now more than halfway complete.

According to school board member Jeffrey Miller, Valley View, White Oak, Wynn, Jacksboro Middle and LaFollette Middle Schools have had their playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities finished, while LaFollette Elementary’s is being installed this week.

LaFollette Elementary School’s playground.

Still to be completed are Caryville Elementary, Jacksboro Elementary, Elk Valley and “finishing up at Jellico Elementary,” according to Miller.

The $500,000 project is being funded through federal monies from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project was made possible because of the ESSER funding we got from the federal government as part of the COVID relief,” Miller said. 

Through this funding, all of the elementary schools in Campbell County are getting new playground equipment  and two middle schools received outdoor recreational facilities and shade structures. 

Campbell County elementary and middle schools are getting upgrades to playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities.  “These are such huge transformations based on what we had.  It’s just awesome,” said 1st District School Board Member Jeffrey Miller.

The project was spearheaded by First District School Board member Miller who said it was “a much needed upgrade” for the county’s schools and that “recess is an integral part of a child’s learning process.”

He met with principals at all the schools and worked with them on the layout of where the new equipment would be placed. All elementary schools and LaFollette and Jacksboro middle schools will also be getting shade structures. The shade structures come with four large steel tables in colors coordinated with each school.

Valley View Elementary had already had a playground upgrade, and so instead, received an outdoor music equipment interactive station. Other elementary schools will receive outdoor music equipment as well.

Valley View Principal Jason Dotson said the kids were “really enjoying” the new outside music station and that it was a great benefit for the kids.

Valley View Elementary School received an outdoor music equipment interactive station.

“The kids have been thrilled with our new music station. It has enabled them the opportunity to play and experiment with music. It’s also been very beneficial in developing social skills for our students as they work together to make “new” sounds,” Dotson said. 

According to Miller, the playgrounds had needed upgraded for years, but there wasn’t funding for it locally.

“It was a blessing to be able to use those federal funds for outdoor recreation areas and playground equipment,” Miller said, adding that he was thankful for all the local support of the project. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/19/2021-6AM)

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