School Board Rejects Carroll Secure Area

In an effort to beautify portions of Carroll High School, a proposal on the Monroe City School Board agenda was requested to move air conditioner chillers located in between two buildings of the school. The request was made at the Tuesday, May 17, 2022, meeting to make an area available for secure outdoor activities. Those activities may include classroom study, a place to unwind, eat lunch, work on projects or have quiet time during lunch hour. In 2022, all school students deserve areas on school campuses for secure outdoor activities. Carroll High School does not have a secure area designated for these activities. In evaluating the campus, alumni and persons working on improvements for the school's campus identified the area located behind the Administration Building as an ideal area. There are air-conditioner chillers currently located in this area. The chillers were requested to be moved. There have been alleged noise complaints, as the chillers present a lack of an aesthetic look for the school. Schools across this country are planning improvements on school campuses that promote safety and areas to enhance positive mental health and instruction. Then as the request was being considered, some at the meeting saw the exchange board members as related to beautification and politics. Board member Rick Saulsberry, Chairman of the Facilities Committee, noted the concerns of those making the request and said that noise removal from the chillers could not be guaranteed, but he urged that money be spent at CHS for the sake of supporting the children. "Carroll citizens pay taxes just like everyone else," said Saulsberry. "This is about children and their learning environment; these kids want a nice building to look at." Board member Jennifer Haneline said that other schools have overflowing students and no office space or room for art teachers. Haneline voted no. Board member Bill Willson also voted no to remove the chillers. Board President Brandon Johnson stated that the chillers would be fixed, but they will not be moved. He voted no. Board member Sharon Neal Greer, who sources say is mostly silent at meetings, "adamantly" voted no. Greer allegedly said that the chillers "affected" certain classrooms, as there is still so much work that needs to be done. Board members Daryl Berry, Rick Saulsberry, and Betty Ward Cooper voted to remove the chillers. The result of the 4-3 vote left some in the community disappointed and perhaps angry that once again, Carroll High School has taken a step back. Those who want to see a different look at Carroll from an aesthetic point of view ask how Carroll would be ranked when other schools are viewed. They argued that the moving of the chillers was about the children and their learning environment.

There is no doubt that the school could use a "makeover". Many have pointed out that Carroll "does not have the look" of an institution of higher learning. They feel that poor planning was done when the school was remodeled. There didn't seem to be any concern in building design or how the grounds would factor in for improvements. For so many in the community, Carroll does not have that scholastic look in its building design in that it doesn't "stand out" like other high schools in the area. Sources say that the votes by Johnson and Greer prevented Carroll from taking a big step up, meaning that it will be the same old thing. They could have made a big difference for Carroll, sources say. There are those who know that Carroll deserves better.