Students, parents and teachers protested Thursday at the Howard County Board of Education, claiming that a promise made should be kept.Oakland Mills High School is one of the oldest school buildings in Columbia, but it will not get renovated as the school community had hoped.The Oakland Mills community anticipated a green light for long-awaited major renovations, some calling the environment unsafe and unhealthy.”While she’s there, I want them to make the school safe, and it’s not because they have mold and things,” said Christina Lively, a parent.Instead, the board met on Nov. 6 and considered improvements for other schools.”We want them to have good facilities. We want them to be proud of their school building. We want them to be there, right?” Howard County Board of Education Chairwoman Jolene Mosley, District 3, said at the meeting.The board voted to proceed with the Fiscal Year 2027 capital improvements project proposal to renovate three smaller projects.”(We’re) starting with the smaller projects (with the) same dollar amount and going for the biggest impact on the number of students through their pathways,” Board of Education member Antonia Watts, District 2, said at the meeting.Oakland Mills supporters said they’re not done fighting for their school as they continue to protest and seek funds for needed repairs.”We’re not asking for anything special, just keep your promise. You said you were going to renovate us in 2027. So do it,” said Erika Goldsmith, a teacher.”Being here tonight is hopefully going to make a difference because it’s going to show them that people are showing up and that people do care about these kids’ health,” said Mya Lively, a student.Parents and students said they plan to continue fighting up until the budget process in January.
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. —
Students, parents and teachers protested Thursday at the Howard County Board of Education, claiming that a promise made should be kept.
Oakland Mills High School is one of the oldest school buildings in Columbia, but it will not get renovated as the school community had hoped.
The Oakland Mills community anticipated a green light for long-awaited major renovations, some calling the environment unsafe and unhealthy.
“While she’s there, I want them to make the school safe, and it’s not because they have mold and things,” said Christina Lively, a parent.
Instead, the board met on Nov. 6 and considered improvements for other schools.
“We want them to have good facilities. We want them to be proud of their school building. We want them to be there, right?” Howard County Board of Education Chairwoman Jolene Mosley, District 3, said at the meeting.
The board voted to proceed with the Fiscal Year 2027 capital improvements project proposal to renovate three smaller projects.
“(We’re) starting with the smaller projects (with the) same dollar amount and going for the biggest impact on the number of students through their pathways,” Board of Education member Antonia Watts, District 2, said at the meeting.
Oakland Mills supporters said they’re not done fighting for their school as they continue to protest and seek funds for needed repairs.
“We’re not asking for anything special, just keep your promise. You said you were going to renovate us in 2027. So do it,” said Erika Goldsmith, a teacher.
“Being here tonight is hopefully going to make a difference because it’s going to show them that people are showing up and that people do care about these kids’ health,” said Mya Lively, a student.
Parents and students said they plan to continue fighting up until the budget process in January.