Dear Groveport Madison Schools Community,

I want to extend thanks to everyone who raised concerns about the state of our playgrounds. Your voices have been heard, and while it should not have reached this point, we are fully committed to making things right for our children and community.

As a first step, we have begun removing some of the pieces of playground equipment based on their condition from all six of our elementary schools. In addition, we have made some much-needed repairs such as plastic welding to some of the damaged slides, hardware replacement, and improved safety surfaces, boundaries, and mulch in play areas. We are also actively researching new equipment options to ensure our playgrounds are safe, engaging, and enjoyable for our students. These efforts are to improve and repair what we can until a more long-term solution is fully implemented.

We also ask for your continued support in safeguarding these spaces from vandalism. We have posted signs designating acceptable use and times to discourage damage and destruction of our equipment. In our investigation, we have found that the vast majority of this vandalism takes place outside of school hours. It has also been reported that in many cases, this has been done by individuals who do not attend Groveport Madison Schools. These actions include vandalism to our buildings, modulars, and playground equipment. As a result, we are looking into the fiscal feasibility of cameras near the playgrounds. This is just one instance we've identified, and it underscores the importance of community vigilance. 

Please say something if you see any suspicious activities or misuse of playground equipment. Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain a safe environment for our children. Together, we can ensure that our playgrounds remain a positive space for all.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our schools.

Sincerely,

Jamie Grube
Superintendent