Maryland Authorities Criticized Over Halt to School Renovation

By: Bryan Dioh| Maryland County Correspondent

Harper, Maryland County-Wednesday, August 20, 2025- Superintendent Henry Cole is facing mounting public criticism after ordering a halt to renovation work at the Harper Demonstration High School.

The renovation project had been initiated by the Dorboh Bedell Foundation, led by a prominent Marylander, following repeated appeals from students and parents.

In a statement posted on Superintendent Cole’s official Facebook handle, local authorities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, explained that efforts are underway to secure government funding for the school’s rehabilitation. The post further emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the institution’s longstanding infrastructural challenges.

The decision, however, has triggered strong reactions from residents, many of them students, who argued that stopping the renovation is not in the best interest of the school. They stressed that Harper Demonstration High School, one of the county’s most recognized institutions, has been in deplorable condition for years, forcing students to learn in unsafe classrooms with parts of the building on the verge of total collapse. At times, classes have even been suspended due to heavy rainfall flooding the facility.

“What’s been said by the Superintendent is just surprising to us,” said Theresa Tugbe, a resident of New Kru Town. “That building has been there too long without repair, and our children have suffered for years. Now someone came to help, and the authorities are asking them to stop? What exactly is this?”

Tugbe further warned that unspecified actions, including possible protests, may be taken if the renovation is not allowed to continue before the reopening of schools.

Sarah Wilson, a resident of the Airfield community, expressed similar frustration. “What’s going on is sad. We can’t have our own son fixing our school and the authorities stopping him again. Do they know how long our children have been suffering in that death-trap building? Why should it come to this?”

Meanwhile, several residents are calling on local authorities to reconsider their decision, noting that the new school year is about to begin while the institution remains in a deplorable state.

Reports confirm that renovation work has already been halted following the Superintendent’s directive. With schools set to reopen soon, it remains unclear when authorities will begin the long-awaited rehabilitation.