More than 100 teachers and staff members from Mount Hebron High School demanded this week that the school board immediately address deplorable conditions that have created an unsafe and difficult learning environment.
In a petition obtained by The Examiner, the signers prioritize safety and improving the quality of education to meet county standards.
“We at least want to meet all codes for life safety, that shouldn?t be an issue to negotiate on,” said Linda Dombrowski, co-chairwoman of the Help Mount Hebron parent group.
The petition came on the heels of another rat infestation at the Ellicott City school that drew the ire of parents and students, especially when they were recently told the rodent problems were under control.
“It?s almost come to be expected at Hebron, and students have learned to deal with it,” said senior Rob Medoff, 17. “But you?d like to be known as a clean school.”
Students were sent home with a letter Wednesday informing parents of a pesticide application for the rodent infestation, Principal David Brown said.
At least six rats were spotted by teachers, some of whom snapped pictures of them, Dombrowski said.
A rat burrow and rat droppings were found on an unoccupied courtyard at the school Wednesday where work recently was completed on a stormdrain, said Mark Hardin, a pest management specialist with the school system.
In addition to the infestation problem, the school violates safety codes for stairs, evacuation routes, sprinkler and fire alarm systems, according to a report compiled by the Help Mount Hebron Committee.
School Board President Diane Mikulis said parents should wait until the budget meeting Sept. 20 to voice their concerns.
“It isn?t like we haven?t been trying to work with the community, but this is the system we use for every renovation, and they are asking us to deviate to a very different system,” Mikulis said. “They want a new school, but the money isn?t there for that.”
The signers of the petition threw their support behind the parent group, but few answered requests for comment.
Petition demands
1. Eliminate safety issues and code violations
2. Resolve educational deficiencies
3. Meet education specifications
4. Improve working environment to county standard
5. Create implementation plan for solutions
6. Initiate process to develop solutions
7. Guarantee public disclosure of all costs
