An informal work session between members of the Cumberland County Commission and the Board of Education will take place at noon today on at Homestead Elementary School.

The work session was requested during a school board budget session last week. Homestead parent and teachers are concerned about safety issues that have been repeatedly raised during school board meetings. The school is located at the intersection of  US Highways 68 and 127 and is immediately adjacent to the Homestead Tower property which attracts numerous visitors.  There is currently no fencing between the school and the Homestead Tower leading visitors to the tower to meander onto school property, unaware that it is not part of the Tower attraction.

Additionally, the state is in the midst of a major construction project along the 127 and 68 highways which is creating additional danger to students and their parents when try to drop off, pick up or visit the Homestead School campus.

During an April 24th meeting the Budget Committee voted to amend the 2023-24 budget be assure that the remaining overage money (141 TISA Outcome funds) are applied toward Homestead Safety and Security as capital outlay and to include the line item in the 2024-25 budget under capital outlay.

The outcome funds will be used toward the costs for fencing and other improvements (such as moving the playground), but it won’t be sufficient for all the items necessary to cover safety concerns at the school.