school building safety and grandfather clauses

[beckiemoore]

What is the name of your state? NH

I am wondering if you could help me understand the grandfather clause that allows for an elementary school to remain open if there are no sprinkler systems in place in parts of the building, and if fire walls have been impaired to allow cables to pass through and electical wires to not be insulated to todays standards It is my understanding that this is allowed because it wasn't code at the time the building was built. While I understand that codes change frequently and requiring buildings to continue to change to meet every code would be logistically and financially impossible. However, I find it hard to believe that such major code issues can be overlooked, citing a grandfather clause, to me this seems akin to letting my mother drive my children around without car seats because they weren't required when she was raising her children. (Maybe that's the grandmother clause

While I understand that this is a sensitive subject, I am trying to understand the grandfather clause in general, and if this was the way the clause was intended to be used. And what, if anything, can be done to increase the safety of children in said schools. I cannot bear to think of the disaster which could occur in the event of a fire, when trying to get first and second grade students out of such a building.

Any input is much appreciated!

 

[seniorjudge]

If I were you and I had a kid in that school, I would be having cordial, yet sincere and earnest conversations with the school board.

Every day.

 

[beckiemoore]

New school on ballot 5 times in last 7 years

Failed each time. This time just 2 weeks ago. We (the pro-new schoolers) got ~49% of the vote, because it is a bond issue we need 60% of the vote.

Very frustrating! The School Board has worked hard to come up with a new school or possibly renovations. But the building is in such bad shape that we have been told by the State they won't fund any repairs, and the town won't support a new school.

I am thinking condemning it might be the only option to get voters to see how bad it is. Passing elementary schools is hard b/c much of the population feels that their children went there and they are fine, a good deal of the people will never use the building (retirees, no children etc) and the people who would be impacted the most don't yet realize how bad the building is, or the children that will use it aren't' even born yet.

FYI I live in a SMALL town in NH. Pop 8300, only 2200 voted in the recent town election, additionally we are faced with being one of 10 towns in the country that doesn't have a public kindergarten. Additional we have 7 55+ communities who will never make use of the building. NH having no income tax has to rely on taxation of the citizen to support the town needs.

. It is quite frightening to send a child into that building day after day. If my children have the right to an educations what rights do we have to ensure they are in a safe building....