In general, Armstrong said his campus needs a general overhaul - almost anything you can think of. For the little kindergartners, it could make a real difference in the kind of education they receive. No more room at Markham Shelley Dally agreed. The Markham Elementary School principal said a good learning environment is what youths need to succeed. To provide that, Markham needs the funds that would be generated by Measure V. Built in 1962, the campus serves more than 700 children.
Facilities are old and inadequate, resources are few and repairs are continuous.
Yet a strong circle of support from children and adults surrounds the school, Dally said. A first glance highlights peeling paint, rotting wood and dry lawns. A second look shows the handmade decorations lovingly placed around the aging classrooms, the murals painted by staffers on walls across the campus, wooden barrels overflowing with greenery. There are some problem areas that staffers just can't fix, though. Asbestos abatement needs to be tackled in classrooms, though Dally said it's currently sealed in.