'Infrastructure challenges' blamed for failing health inspection score at Benton Elementary

From Local 3 News: A failing environmental health inspection has been circulating around the Benton Elementary School community, causing alarm for many parents and families.

The inspection, which took place on Wednesday, January 21, noted several violations, like:

• Exposed cracked piping and strong sewage odor in boys bathroom
• Kindergarten restroom overflowing when flushed
• Pre-K restroom with collapsing floor, greatly sinking in, cracking sound when standing on it
• Pooling, stagnant water in janitorial closet
• Several classrooms with tall bookshelves not secured to the walls or floors
• Missing tiles in classroom with subfloor exposed
• Numerous heavily damaged auditorium seats with rusted metal and wood splinters

Now, the Polk County School District is addressing the report:

"Benton Elementary is an older facility, and many of the items noted reflect long-standing infrastructure challenges. Several concerns were corrected during the inspection, and our project manager and maintenance teams are actively working to address all remaining items, with priority given to critical health and safety needs."

Plans are also in place to improve and remodel the auditorium this summer as part of the school's ongoing efforts to enhance the school's facilities, the district says.

While ongoing repairs are necessary, they say they recognize the need for long-term solutions.

"Polk County Schools is also working collaboratively with county leadership and community partners to address both immediate needs and long-term facility improvements," they said in a statement on social media. "We appreciate the county’s continued partnership and shared commitment to investing in safe learning environments for our students."