You can't make this stuff up. So much money, so little wisdom. (Arlington: 2013, crime)

[Fern435]

It's been a busy week keeping up with the NoVA news (West Springfield HS teens arrested, etc.) Thought things might return to normal down there, then I see this headline:

Fairfax County schools place new playground apparatus off limits to kids - The Washington Post

It really never stops in FCPS, does it? They keep generating new, ridiculous situations.

[Grsz11]

But guarantee if a child fell and was injured, there would be a lawsuit.

[Huckleberry3911948]

very true about the lawsuits.
we are a law suit driven country and the suit no longer fits.

[Fern435]

Being a playground supervisor must be a lot of fun. Brand new equipment just begging to be used, and it is off-limits.

We used to live down there, and a similar thing happened with a group of mothers who planned an expensive project and pressured all the parents to donate money. They failed to get the necessary approvals and the plans were not carefully researched and planned with FCPS officials. The changes were guaranteed to be ripped up in a few years. Guess it's a chronic condition there.

[oneasterisk]

Wow how did we ever survive growing up without the bureaucracy to keep us safe!!!

[JD984]

I see no evidence that anyone acted in bad faith, and the school system has offered to reimburse the PTA for the cost of the equipment. The CPSC has recalled other products by this manufacturer in the past:

CPSC - Children's Slides Recalled by Landscape Structures due to Fall Hazard

It's sad to look at playground equipment literally covered in yellow tape (looks like a crime scene) and figuratively covered in red tape, but hopefully the school and PTA will find an acceptable replacement soon. I'd rather have FCPS admit there was a misunderstanding, and foot the bill, than permit a school to have something it considers unsafe on school grounds simply because it might be embarassing to acknowledge that it hadn't provided the PTA with clear guidance.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by JEB77

I see no evidence that anyone acted in bad faith, and the school system has offered to reimburse the PTA for the cost of the equipment. The CPSC has recalled other products by this manufacturer in the past:

CPSC - Children's Slides Recalled by Landscape Structures due to Fall Hazard

It's sad to look at playground equipment literally covered in yellow tape (looks like a crime scene) and figuratively covered in red tape, but hopefully the school and PTA will find an acceptable replacement soon. I'd rather have FCPS admit there was a misunderstanding, and foot the bill, than permit a school to have something it considers unsafe on school grounds simply because it might be embarassing to acknowledge that it hadn't provided the PTA with clear guidance.

Except it's not FCPS footing the bill, it's the taxpayers funding this expensive "mistake." Does ten inches really make a difference? No. And why, if the PTA paid $35,000, is FCPS going to pay $135,000?

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

Does ten inches really make a difference? No.

That's we he said... Sorry couldn't resist...

Plus they'll just raise the property tax to make up for the lost "revenue"

[JD984]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

Except it's not FCPS footing the bill, it's the taxpayers funding this expensive "mistake." Does ten inches really make a difference? No. And why, if the PTA paid $35,000, is FCPS going to pay $135,000?

- I was aware that FCPS is funded through tax assessments and that the taxpayers will ultimately bear the cost if FCPS spends more money at Stratford Landing ES. But I'm not sure I understand your point. Do you want FCPS employees to be held personally liable for what are ultimately unintentional acts of oversight or miscommunication?

- Apparently the additional 10 inches does make a difference, according to the safety inspectors. Perhaps there should be a process to get a waiver if additional or compensating safety measures can be put in place, but I can only imagine how angry some parents might be if their kid got hurt falling off a piece of playground equipment and they subsequently learned that it did not meet the school system's safety standards. I've laughed as much as anyone at some of the OSHA workplace safety requirements, but we are talking about the safety of kids here.

- I read the story to suggest that the piece of equipment cost $35K, and that FCPS has now offered to do a more expensive revamp of the entire playground for $135K. Is that the best use of FCPS funds? Maybe yes, maybe no. I've read some parents complain that their school playgrounds aren't as nice as those at some of the schools in Arlington and DC, but if the parents at Stratford Landing want to send the money that has been offered by FCPS over to McLean, I'm sure we can find a use for it.

[vermonter16]

And to think of all the 'dangerous' equipment we played on when I was a kid....and survived! Those were the days!