The Peachtree City Recreation Commission Monday night rescinded its earlier decision to partially fund playground equipment at Peeples Elementary School, citing the distribution of Peeples' students inside and outside the city limits, as well as its leaders' decision not to approach Fayette County officials for matching funds.

The commission had voted in Novemeber to set aside $2,500 for the school, contingent upon the county contributing as well. Some concern was expressed during November's discussion about Peeples' location and the number of its students who do not live in the city limits of Peachtree City.

The City Council set guidelines earlier this year for playground funding requests, appointing the Recreation Commission to hear all such requests first and forward its recommendations to the council. The city frequently receives such requests due to the fact that the school system does not provide money for playgrounds.

Any public school in Fayette County that has Peachtree City residents making up at least a portion of its student body is eligible to apply for funds, with a maximum of $5,000 given to a single school during any five-year period, according to the city's new policy.

Leisure services director Randy Gaddo told the Recreation Commission Monday night that Peeples would not be pursuing funds from the county. He said Peeples' principal informed of this two days after the November meeting.

Staff revealed that 23 of Peeples' 547 students are now living in Peachtree City, or about 4.2 percent — 16 in the Oaks at Timberlake, and seven in Balmoral Village.

Commission chairman Earl Spell said that he did not think the numbers justified the expense.

Commissioner Luther Holt asked what the reasoning was for Peeples' unwillingness to approach the county for money. Gaddo replied that the principal was uncomfortable making that move.

“That was her decision,” said Gaddo. “It was a political decision.”

Gaddo added that the city, in setting its policy earlier this year, formed a structured system for these kinds of requests that does not exist at the county level.

Commissioner Jan Shannon-Zink was distressed about the children not having playground equipment, no matter what the reason.

“Do they [Peeples] know we really want to help them out?” she said. “Our hands are tied. These kids need a playground.”

Spell said that the decision is not a permanent denial, but funding the project is simply not appropriate at the present time.

Commissioner Dan Wright expressed some concern about the city's guidelines, saying that Peeples apparently met them. There is no minimum requirement for how many students must live in the city limits, he said, and the City Council should perhaps go back and be more specific about eligibility.

Spell replied that the commission's job is to interpret the guidelines on a case-by-case basis.

Gaddo echoed that sentiment, saying that the system was set up so that the commission could use its own discretion and take some of the responsibility from the City Council.

The city will inform Peeples by letter that it should resubmit the request at another time.

Commissioner John Connolly said that he was disappointed at the lack of effort made to request funding from the county. Gaddo added that, while it was understandable that the school staff would be hesitant to go to the commissioners and outside the school board for such help, the PTO also failed to act.

A motion to rescind the previous funding allocation was passed unanimously.

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