For parents, the new temporary headquarters is not an adequate solution but the Municipality does not seem to have any other cards to play
VITERBO – A large delegation of parents today expressed their concerns at the city council about the temporary movement of 14 classes from the Ellera school to a new location in Viale Trento, an area already known for various reasons including inadequate safety and problems linked to the urban planning factor.
“We have not found any other feasible solutions in such a short time.” This is the summary and the “justification” that the councilors Stefano Floris, but also Alfonso Antoniozzi, tried to explain to parents and the minority. Also speaking out in defense of parents and students was councilor Matteo Achilli (Brothers of Italy) who did not fail to underline how the administration “wasted a year and a half of time” on the critical situation. Among his complaints, there was also a letter that the manager allegedly sent to the parents, explaining that the decision would now be made. Yet, there is still no signature on any contract, as underlined by councilor Antoniozzi, who declared: “I too am amazed by this communication”.
Among the many problems identified and presented by parents, there is also one linked to the habitable space factor. The new headquarters in Viale Trento, at least on paper, would not have usable and safe green spaces for the children, who would find themselves stuck in class for six hours straight. “It is not an acceptable situation – declared one of the demonstrators, who is also a teacher – in these 14 classes there is an average of three children with support who must be guaranteed the possibility of being able to enjoy fresh air from time to time . The same obviously applies to all the others, as they are very young and in a phase where contact with the open air is very important”.
The forced displacement, due to the PNRR redevelopment works, will inevitably also lead to logistical problems. Francigena, in fact, seems unable to guarantee shuttle transport to children and families who are unable to accompany their children to school. “The means are not there – councilor Katia Scardozzi also underlined – they could perhaps be there in February, when new ones arrive”.
The reassurances of councilor Stefano Floris seem to have been of little use, as he really seems to have taken the issue to heart. “You can’t promise us things that you can’t guarantee us – thundered another mother, worried about what will happen to her child at the beginning of September – you’ve already gone back on other promises and now we don’t trust them anymore”.
Great doubts about the timing, since the new headquarters will have to undergo renovation works, were also raised by Alessandra Troncarelli (PD). As the councilor and former mayoral candidate recalled, there are only a few weeks left and there is still a contract to sign. Furthermore, September is around the corner.
In the past few days, Silvia Somigli, general secretary of the UIL Viterbo school, had also presented her concerns. The venue would not be suitable for the needs of children. Among the shortcomings there would also be that related to the space available for a gym. For councilor Stefano Floris, even in this case, there would be time to demolish a partition and build one since “the large spaces allow it”. The parents, however, do not seem very inclined to believe it and are waiting to see everything “in black and white” because the other hypothesis is to enroll the pupils in another school, at the expense, obviously, of the Ellera primary school.
The issue will certainly be discussed again in the next few days. A new meeting between the administration and parents seems to be scheduled, but time is short and the solutions seem to be very few. Satisfying everyone might be something impossible.
