If the Columbia Association cuts off liability insurance funding, Stevens Forest Nursery School might not be able to replace its worn wooden playground.
“There are nails popping out
of our playground; it is no longer safe,” said David Hendrickson, a parent and volunteer at Stevens Forest.
Nursery schools with playgrounds in village centers pay insurance for the hours they use the equipment, and the association pays the rest. The insurance is covering liability for the use of the nursery school?s playground.
“If the CA becomes so afraid of liability that it does not fulfill its mission, then something is wrong,” said Barbara Russel, association board member for Oakland Mills, where the nursery school is located.
“We need to address that, even if it means spending more on liability insurance. Whatever it takes.”
The association decided to reinvestigate its playground policies in May, when the Stevens Forest Nursery School told the board about its plans to build a new playground, said Karen Hawkins, association community relations manager.
In December, the association sent letters to four village centers ? Faulkner Ridge, Phelps Luck, Owen Brown and Macgillis Commons ? informing them that it will not pay to replace the old playgrounds.
As a result, the schools would have to raise fees, not have playgrounds or risk a liability claim that could put them out of business.
The Stevens Forest Nursery School pays about $2,300 for insurance.
The association listed playground safety issues as a reason for a $27,000 budgetary shortcoming in the General Counsel?s Office, according to its 2006 Board of Director?s report.
When the Stevens Forest group protested, the Columbia Association talked with the Village Boards, and is now working on a new policy.
“We listened very carefully to everyone?s suggestions. I do believe the policy we will propose is one that will be good for everyone,” said association President Maggie Brown, who said the new plan should be ready in May or June.
Stevens Forest Nursery School charges $70 to $140 per month as part of a cooperative parent volunteer system. Without the association?s assistance, the school would have to raise fees or go out of business if an insurance claim was filed.
Nursery schools typically provide learning opportunities for children ages 2 to 4, before they go to kindergarten.
Since May, the nursery school raised $5,000 for the new playground, which would include steel posts and a plastic slide.
If you go
A group of playground advocates will meet with the Columbia Association board at 7:30 tonight in Wincopin Circle in Columbia.
