R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press The playground at James T. Jones Elementary School in Gladstone is shown. The school district has been aiming to upgrade the equipment and is currently asking the public how they would like to see work unfold.

GLADSTONE — Gladstone Area Schools is asking the community about their concerns regarding the aged playground at James T. Jones Elementary School.

The Jones school, for grades three through five, is one of the district’s four school buildings. Improvements to both its interior and exterior were sought through a bond proposal that voters within the Gladstone school district shot down. The proposal had been for a total of of $16.9 million, with the playground modernization (at multiple schools, not just Jones) estimated to cost $537,000.

Now, still wanting to erect better playground equipment for the students, a survey — put together by Jones School Principal Holly Howes — is online.

“Although the recent Gladstone school bond proposal did not pass, we remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable play environment for our students. As we look ahead, we are beginning to develop a plan for improving the playground at James T. Jones Elementary. At this early stage, we are seeking input from the community on possible playground repairs, equipment replacements, additions, and creative ideas for funding. Your feedback is important to us as we work together to create a space that supports active play and student well-being,” the introduction to the survey reads.

Questions posed ask how often families use the playground, what they feel biggest priorities are, and what type of equipment should be added or replaced. One existing issue is a lack of ADA-accessible designs.

As money for repairs, upgrades and/or replacements is a crucial element in such discussions, the survey also asks whether the person polled​​ would support a community fundraising effort and which types they might engage with. Suggestions listed are business sponsorships, online crowdfunding, grant writing and volunteer work days.

Those with Facebook may find a link to the survey, which is through Google Forms, on the Gladstone Area Schools page in a post from June 30.

The url to the survey form is here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfS6LNDq-HsYRZe4QotGms-65_CeFcXWEmzuRMX4_bpf7XEgw/viewform

Those without internet access may get a printed copy of the questionnaire at the school district’s central office, located at 400 South 10th Street between the Gladstone Public Library and Jones Elementary School. The office is generally open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, although the building will be closed for cleaning July 23 to 25.

The survey will be available through the summer, Superintendent Jay Kubertis said.

Other projects that had been goals of the rejected bond are underway, too.

“We created a list of needs and prioritized the list by building with the focus on determining what might be accomplished in-house with our staff and what would need to be farmed out to various professionals,” said Kulbertis. “We put out RFPs (requests for proposals) for resealing parking lots and for some roof repairs of smaller buildings throughout the district. We continue to chip away at the smaller, more manageable projects.”