Playground honors Sanderson legacy

January 21, 2026 by Ben Pounds

A sign outside Clinton Elementary School’s new playground honors the legacy of James Sanderson, who served Clinton City Schools for 39 years as an art teacher, math teacher and assistant superintendent.

The sign notes that Sanderson “gave so much to Clinton City Schools and cared deeply for those who served.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new playground was held Thursday, Jan. 15.

Director of Schools Kelly Johnson addressed a crowd that included students and local government officials before cutting the ribbon alongside the school’s Special Olympics Unified Champions athletes.

Their participation reflected the school’s emphasis on creating an all-inclusive playground designed for children of varying abilities.

The playground includes ground-level features such as chimes and a xylophone with mallets that can be used without climbing, as well as traditional structures for climbing and play.

“As you know, this piece of land is not always ADA-friendly, so for us to be able to offer an all-inclusive playground for our students is just a glorious day for us,” Johnson said.

Johnson thanked school staff, community partners and government leaders who helped bring the project to completion, while also recognizing Sanderson’s lasting impact on the school system. She recalled his deep knowledge of school facilities and his willingness to help even after retirement.

“Until his dying day, I had his phone number and sometimes would call and say, ‘Hey Jim, we’ve got a leak right here,’” Johnson said. “He could tell me exactly what I needed to know to get it fixed.

“One of his dreams was to have all three Clinton City Schools ADA-compliant, and this is one step in the right direction toward that.” goal,” she said.