Moisture and mold issues as well as concerns with bathrooms topped the list of concerns following a tour of Chilhowee Middle and Benton Elementary Schools by the Grand Jury in July. Grand Jury members toured both schools, but did not assess portable classrooms or the structural foundations.

According to the Grand Jury’s report, ceiling tiles throughout both facilities were water stained and in need of replacement. Rusted and dirty ceiling vents were also noted throughout both facilities. Peeling painted was noted on interior walls and a lack of paint adhesion was suggestive of moisture and mold problems.  

A sink in the Special Education/Home Economics Room was noted to be extremely rusted, and water coming from the faucet was rust colored, suggesting a possibility of rusted pipes. Rusted and corroded showerheads were seen in both male and female restrooms and broken or missing drain covers were noted in the restrooms.

Some restrooms were found to be without stall doors and some of those with intact doors did not close properly. A broken toilet tank cover was noted in the women’s restroom and a very strong, lingering urine odor in a boy’s bathroom at Benton Elementary seemed to indicate a serious problem to the grand jury members. Both male and female restrooms in the Benton Elementary Gym were closed off and not open for use. No restrooms were adequately equipped for handicapped individuals.

Dirty air vents and windows were noted throughout both facilities. Dirty floors and floors that appeared to have been waxed with dirt underneath were noted. An open garbage container was seen in the cafeteria and the concession stand area was reported to have been condemned by the State Fire Marshall.

The auditorium was noted to have as many as 30 chairs with missing bottoms and several with splintered bottoms. Mention was also made that the auditorium is not air-conditioned.

Exterior issues mentioned in the report include broken sidewalks, broken drain covers and broken air conditioner covers. There were no outside ramps noted for wheelchairs.