Bessemer Community Voice Concerns Over School Conditions
Bessemer, AL – At a recent meeting of the Bessemer Board of Education, the severity of plumbing issues at Charles F. Hard Elementary School was brought to light by Debra Amamoo, a special education teacher at the school. Her comments during the public comment portion of the meeting painted a troubling picture of conditions that have affected students and faculty alike.
Severe Plumbing Issues Highlighted
Amamoo recounted a distressing incident from earlier this year when flooding in the school’s hallway turned into a crisis after raw sewage contaminated not only the hallway but also classrooms, including the sensory room crucial for some students’ learning experiences. “The entire hallway was flooded. Classrooms including our sensory room were contaminated with raw sewage,” Amamoo stated, clearly frustrated by the situation.
Impact on Students
The flooding resulted in the sensory room being unavailable to students for several months, a significant loss considering the room’s importance for those needing sensory integration. “Up until last week, when I took it upon myself to bring a change of clothes to school, bleach and cleaning materials to try to sanitize and clean what I could and put out the materials that were contaminated,” Amamoo explained. “It’s been sitting there since February, and we could do absolutely nothing with it because of the plumbing issues.”
Call for Action
Amamoo expressed her deep concern for the situation and described it as “quite ridiculous,” urging the board to take action. Unfortunately, her time to speak was cut short at the meeting, as she exceeded the three-minute limit for public comments. However, Board Member Renna Soles-Scott acknowledged that she had brought this issue before the board in the past, indicating that it has been an ongoing problem that remains unresolved.
Board Responses
In response to Amamoo’s comments, Board President Terry Dawson directed Superintendent Dr. Arreola and Dr. Daniel Boyd to follow up with her regarding her concerns and provide the board with an update. This step taken by the board may indicate a recognition of the critical issues presented by Amamoo and a willingness to engage with staff to find resolutions.
Broader Concerns
The situation at Charles F. Hard Elementary School is part of a larger pattern of ongoing challenges facing the Bessemer school system, which has been under state intervention for several months. Community members have been vocal about their frustrations regarding the school district’s persistent issues, which they feel have not been adequately addressed.
As concerns continue to mount over the state of schools in Bessemer, the engagement of teachers and parents remains essential for pushing for improvements. The conditions at Charles F. Hard serve as a reminder of the urgent need for attention toward school facilities and student needs within the community.
Next Steps
Amamoo’s brave act of addressing the board demonstrates her commitment to her students, highlighting not just a teacher’s advocacy, but the **collective concern** of dedicated educators and parents hoping to see tangible improvements in the educational environment. The board’s response will be critical in determining how quickly the issues can be resolved. Community members are left hoping for swift actions that will ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
