PHELPS, Ky. — Days before classes begin in Pike County Ky., concerned parents from the Phelps community are questioning the safety of an aging school.

Several parents met yesterday evening with school officials and Representative W. Keith Hall at Phelps Elementary to voice concerns regarding the safety of their children in the facility. Hall along with new Phelps Elementary Principal Angie Lester, Pike Superintendent Roger Wagner, and Board of Education member Frank McGuire attempted to reassure parents the school would be safe for returning students Aug. 12, and allowed those in attendance to walk through the facility.

“Of all the schools in Kentucky, 14 schools throughout the state fall under a ‘category five’ in condition, one being the best of condition, five being the worst, Phelps Elementary is one of those 14 schools,” explained Rep. Hall. “Phelps Elementary is really the worst of the category five schools.”

Rep. Hall said he has attempted on two occasions to appropriate funds for a new $11.2 million school before the Kentucky House of Representatives. Both times, the bill passed in the House but was denied in the state Senate.

“I will propose the new school until we get it and hopefully, the third time is the charm,” Rep. Hall stated. “Speaker of the Kentucky House, Greg Stumbo, has told me the next school built in Kentucky will be for Phelps.

“If we ever close this school, we’ll lose the lifeblood of our community. My heart and my love are in Phelps and my grandchildren attend this school.”

Principal Lester and Superintendent Wagner said the current school is safe for returning students.

“Teachers have been working to prepare the school for the upcoming year, cleaning their rooms and even painting them if needed,” said Lester. “The school passed structural tests in March of this year and passed mold tests on July 29. My son attends this school and as a parent I wouldn’t send him here if I didn’t believe it to be safe.”

Items on the laundry list of complaints parents have with the school are the possible presence of asbestos, the condition of the basement which had previously been flooded, cracks in the inner walls, and issues with the school not being handicap accessible.  

“Asbestos in Phelps Elementary is a matter of public record,” said Superintendent Wagner. “The school is under compliance with handicap accessibility and the basement will need to be retiled, but our priorities however are number one, the safety of our students and number two, getting a new school for Phelps Elementary. We will continue to do structural tests to make sure the building is safe.”

Rep. Hall urged the parents to contact the Kentucky State Senate to aid in getting the plans for the new school passed.

“Phelps Elementary needs a new school sooner rather than later,” Hall said.