In an effort to ensure the safety of our students and the community utilizing the school playground at Sandy Ridge Elementary School (SRES); this petition has been created by the parents of SRES to inspire a positive change within Union County Public Schools (UCPS).

Recently, a second grade student was shocked by this fence and within an hour, he had two seizures. As a parent in the SRES community, WE DO NOT want our families or another child to experience something of this nature. It is our obligation as parents and community leaders to provide our children with a safe environment to learn and play while at school and our hope is that together we will inspire positive change in our school. Working together we can find an appropriate solution with a full extension of the current fence that blocks access to the electric fence. 

A high voltage electric fence from Cedar Hill Farms runs along the entire side of the playground and the school property. This high voltage electric fence is within feet of the area where our children play each day.  In many areas, the fence is widely exposed without any brush, shrubs or grasses between it and our playground.  The signage for the fence has fallen down and is not fully visible. It has been brought to our attention that the owner of Cedar Hill Farms is not willing to take any responsibility for the lack of signage or upkeep of the fence that runs along our elementary school. He stated that it is the responsibility of the school and District.

We urge UCPS to please re-consider the requested continuation of the current chain-link fence, from where it currently ends all the way down to Waxhaw-Marvin Road. The District announced on 3/25/21 that in place of the requested chain-link fence, they would place a cable and post barrier and much needed signage. They have not provided details regarding the fence (ie. height of fence, length of fence or space between the cables). Our understanding at this time is that the barrier will be similar to the post and rope barrier that runs along the sidewalk out front of the school. While this is a great first step by the District but this alone will not protect our children. We urge the County to please consider installing a chain-link fence, like the existing fence from where the current one ends all the way down to Waxhaw-Marvin Road.