Tennessee Students Walk Out Of Class To Protest School Conditions

Several students walked out of a Tennessee high school Wednesday morning to protest the building's conditions.

Dozens of seniors at Tyner Academy in Chattanooga left their classes to demand better building conditions and a new school. The Freshman 400 building, where freshman students typically have classes

According to News Channel 9, the walk-out comes after freshman students were told they couldn't have class in Freshman 400 building. Rather than their typical building, their classes have been held in other buildings since the new school year began.

News Channel 9 reporter Sabrina Maggiore captured video of the students walking down the street, holding signs that read "Give us a new Tyner" and "Water is dripping on our food" while also chanting, "What do we want? New school. When do we want it? Now."

Since the school was built in 1937, issues have arisen in the school that students say are hazardous to their health, the news outlet reports.

"This situation could have been avoided if we were prioritized and given a new building as promised," said senior Jaylan Sims. "Our most basic needs should be met and to continue to ignore this problem buildings with structural issues, mold, falling ceiling tiles is to ignore the personal safety and wellbeing of students at Tyner Academy."

Tucker McClendon, a member of the Hamilton County School Board, said $25 million in COVID-19 relief funds have been set aside to fix issues at Tyner but more funds would be needed in order to complete the project. The Board is also reportedly in talks about finding a new school for Tyner students.