During a recent government meeting, Janine Branch, secretary of the Glendale Elementary School PTA, addressed the pressing issue of inadequate facilities at Glendale Elementary School (GDES). Serving as the only neighborhood elementary school in Glendale, GDES caters to approximately 500 students, including a regional autism program that has been integral to the community for 15 years.

Branch emphasized the urgent need for GDES to be included in the capital improvement plan, highlighting the school's aging infrastructure. The original building, constructed in 1920, has undergone several expansions, with the most recent addition in 2000. However, the reliance on temporary trailers, which have been in use for over two decades, poses significant safety and accessibility challenges for students.

Currently, GDES features 22 classrooms in the main building, supplemented by ten additional trailers. Students, particularly those in the autism program, face difficulties accessing essential facilities such as restrooms, the cafeteria, and the nurse's office, often having to navigate outside in various weather conditions. Branch pointed out that while a proposed security access panel could serve as a temporary solution, it does not address the fundamental issues at hand.

The PTA secretary called for a comprehensive plan to rebuild and consolidate classrooms into a single main building, thereby eliminating the need for trailers and enhancing the learning environment for all students. The call to action underscores the critical need for investment in the school’s infrastructure to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.