New school puts squeeze on Burleson

Dear Editor,
I am a lifelong resident of Hartselle and an eyewitness to the city’s growth. I have been affiliated with F.E. Burleson for 40 years, as a student in the early 70s, daughter of a former member of the faculty, a substitute teacher in the 90s, my daughter began her education there in 2005 and is currently a fifth grader.
I have observed, firsthand, the growth of the entire school system, along with FEB. I realize the colossal need for a new high school to be built in Hartselle.
However, I do see a problem rising.
FEB is being overrun with the construction of this new school. Our elementary students are being swarmed with heavy equipment and construction workers.
Is this a safety hazard? I think it could easily be.
Burleson is being slowly suffocated. The PE Department has no green grass to use. There are over 20 classrooms that rotate the outside areas/times for their students to have recess. Where can PE have outside activities?
If you have ever been to a school-wide function, you know how chaotic traffic can be. Vehicles had to have overflow parking on the grass between the parking lot and Bethel Road, and parent volunteers had to direct the flow of traffic.
Where will we park now? Will we be able to have schoolwide activities or functions? Will there have to be policemen directing traffic?
Morning and afternoon traffic should be a small sample of what to expect, except at a function everyone would be trying to leave at the same time.
Will parking have to be on the only landscaped area left at the school?
I pray that F.E. Burleson has not been forsaken for the new Hartselle High School.
Lisa Leeth
Hartselle

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