SJE school, citizens reach agreement on dog signs at Endicott school campus

When signs erected at the Endicott school grounds in July informed visitors to the grounds not to bring their animals on the school property, some Endicott residents were upset and went to the school board to voice their concerns.

The signs were placed there because dog poop on the campus had become an issue, but some residents felt that the blanket ban was not the way to go.

"The problem is dogs defecating on the school grounds and not being picked up. It's disgusting," Etol Lilliard, one of the concerned residents, previously told the Gazette. "There's nothing so terrible as walking in it. What options do we have outside the big no?"

Since the school board meeting on July 29 in Endicott, the school district, mayor, groundskeeper and residents have met to come up with a solution.

At that school board meeting, Superintendent Suzanne Schmick said the district was committed to solving the issue and wanted to invite the community to work with the district to reach a resolution.

After the discussions, it was decided at the Aug. 24 school board meeting in St. John to come to a compromise and change out the signs.

"We did as we said we would. We met together," said Schmick. "Out of that meeting we decided our signs would match the signs of the town of Endicott."

Signs around Endicott read, "Dog waste is a threat to the health of our children, degrades our town, transmits disease ... leash, curb and clean up after your dog. It's the law." The sign also includes an illustration of a dog.

The school district has now ordered matching signs and will install them on the grounds.

"We want to work with our partners," said Schmick. "This is a fair opportunity to measure up."

Schmick said the new signs come with a trial period in which residents would be expected to police themselves better and clean up after their dogs. She said the school will do some checking along the way and re-evaluate if needed.

"They're being really great about working with the town," said Jamie Misner, another of the concerned residents. "If everyone can work together, hopefully we can make this work."

Lilliard said she is appreciative of the time to get together and come to this solution.

"I'm grateful that we have at least come to the middle of the road," she said.

She said she hopes the community can be better about picking up after their dogs and also not being afraid to say something if someone does not pick up after their dog.

Lilliard is happy to be back to walking on the campus with her dog.

"I'm a regular walker. I walk there every day, even in the winter," she said. "It was really lovely to get on that field again."

Schmick said the time to meet with the community and town leadership was good, and she appreciated the discussion.

"It was a wonderful time to meet together," she said. "It was our pleasure to work with them."