Parents and teachers at Mount Hebron High School have a clear message for the Howard school officials planning its renovation: Do it right.
“As a taxpayer, I don?t want to incur a cost that in the end is not going to address the needs of the school,” said Cindy Ardinger, chairwoman of Help Mount Hebron, a subcommittee of the school?s Parent Teacher Student Association advocating an overhaul of the 43-year-old school in Ellicott City. “If we?re going to do it, we should do it right. The planning process is key.”
A planning advisory committee of parents, teachers and school officials has met several times since October to give feedback on the needs at the school.
School officials said they have enough information, but parents and teachers on the committee don?t agree.
Scott Robinson, a Mount Hebron media center staff member, said teachers are concerned about:
» The lack of an adequate plumbing plan;
» The loss of classrooms;
» A gym and auditorium that still would be too small for students.
The school system?s proposal calls for an expanded and modernized fine arts, athletic and administration suites, and improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning components and control systems.
Parents and teachers instead want a new HVAC system.
In addition to falling short on project details, Ardinger said the estimated $54 million price tag is more than the school system has budgeted for the project.
The school board has proposed setting aside $27 million for the project in the fiscal 2009 capital budget.
Ken Roey, facilities planning and management director, has said the cost could change as the project progresses through its various planning stages.
The project?s schematic design will be brought before the school board in April.
