One Yazoo City man said he feels he wasn’t taken seriously when he asked city leaders to assist in the repairs of a former school building that he believes is vital to the community.
Wallace Russell appeared before the Board of Mayor and Alderman Monday to present his solutions in regard to the necessary repairs of the gymnasium at the former city junior high school on Canal Street, which currently houses the Boys and Girls Club and the Yazoo City Community Complex.
Russell said the gymnasium is severely damaged by water due to roof leaks. The floor has also been damaged, and what appears to be mold and mildew is visible.
“This situation has been allowed to go on for years,” Russell said.
The Yazoo City Municipal School District owns the building, and the city leases a section of it.
“The city also subleases a section of the building to the Boys and Girls Club,” Russell added.
The facility also hosts a number of community events through the Yazoo City Community Complex. The Boys and Girls Club also contribute to the community through its many mentoring and educational programs, which operate on limited funds.
“I have talked to the superintendent of schools on two occasions,” Russell said. “At the present time, the district has no plans of devoting any funds to this building. The district doesn't use this building, and the district has suffered cuts from the state.”
The Yazoo Herald first reported the facility’s damages a few years ago. Following the article being published, the previous city school board of trustees said they would repair deteriorating gymnasium.
Stacye Allen, the resource development director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta, said that there has been no work done to the facility since The Herald first reported on the issue.
Allen said the club did receive one visit from the school district but since then it has been “limited communication.”
Russell has previously expressed frustration with the lack of progress during town hall meetings.
But Russell said he has a solution to restoring the damaged building.
"I have a plan that is simple and legal to restore the gym," said Russell. "The city needs to make it possible for the school district to free up funds necessary to restore the gym."
Russell proposed that the Yazoo City Public Service Commission provide utilities at no cost to the school district in an amount that would offset the cost of repairing the building.
Russell said that Mississippi Code 21-27-27 authorizes the Public Service Commission to provide utilities to the Yazoo City Municipal School District at no cost to the district.
Russell said for three years the district received some form of free utilities from PSC. He said those figures included $395,000 for 2011; $162,000 for 2012, which was a decrease of $233,00; and in both 2013 and 2014, the amounts were capped at about $200,000.
“For 2015, 2016 and 2017, the schools have received zero free utility services,” Russell said. “If the city allowed the schools to receive free utility services in an amount to be determined, the schools could free up funds to replace the roof on the school gym. The schools would have less utility bills to pay."
With those available funds, Russell said the roof repair could begin the overall project. He estimates the roof repair would cost $28,000.
“With more free utility services, the schools could implement phase 2, restoration of the inside of the gym,” Russell continued.
Russell said the second phase could be accomplished with assistance from Johnny Staples with Focus on the Children, the Boys and Girls Club and other community volunteers.
In an effort to begin work quickly and avoid future damage, Russell asked city board attorney Lilli Evans Bass to request an opinion from the state attorney general.
“I would also like for the city attorney to look at the contract for the lease of the building between the school district and the city to determine if it spells out which entity, if any, should fix roof leaks,” Russell said.
Holsea Nelson, the unit director of the local Boys and Girls Club, said a useable gymnasium would benefit children, teenagers and the community.
“I see the potential of the club in this area,” he said. “The gym is a draw for some of our teenagers who sometimes would only come for it.”
Nelson said the absence of the gym has impacted the club’s enrollment, particularly teenagers.
The club has 75 teenagers enrolled now. But when the gym was open, membership was at “full capacity with a waiting list.”
Sports recreation and fitness is just one of the core areas the club focuses on within its members.
“That’s a big draw for our teens,” Allen said. “The more teens we have here, the less we have on the streets.”
Nelson also said the gym is vital for community-oriented events, expanding beyond a younger audience.
“It’s not just boys and girls, it’s also for the community,” he said.
Both Allen and Nelson wish to keep the local club at the facility because it is so well-established within the community.
Russell also asked that the city leaders meet with the school district superintendent Dr. Darron Edwards to discuss his proposals.
"I would like to say that if you and the school district don't take action, we are going to lose the gym and the rest of the building section by section,” Russell said. “Now is your chance. Take advantage of it. Stand up and be counted. The building has been here for 100 years. It can be here for another 100 years."
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen did not respond to Russell’s proposal during the Monday meeting.
