Renovation of Harper Demonstration High School Halted, Sparking Controversy

By: Rocheford T. Gardiner| Contributing Reporter

Harper, Maryland County –Monday, August 25, 2025- A decision by the Maryland County Superintendent to halt a privately funded renovation of the dilapidated Harper Demonstration High School has ignited a fierce public debate, largely playing out on social media. The work, undertaken by the Dorbor Foundation, was stopped pending adherence to official county procedures.

The controversy began on August 20, 2025, when a post on the official Facebook page of County Superintendent Hon. Henry Cole announced the immediate stop order. The notice expressed disapproval of the ongoing work, which was initiated by private citizen Mr. Dorbor Bedell through his foundation to address the school’s severe state of disrepair since the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf regime.

“The Administration disapproves of the ongoing renovation at the Harper Demonstration High School,” the notice stated. “The government has a procedure for its operations. In any undertaking… it is imperative that the county administration is informed to facilitate better collaboration and seamless communication, which has not been the case.”

The statement added that “the administration is currently securing funding for the immediate repair of the school from the proper authority.” This phrasing has caused confusion among residents and school alumni, who are questioning which “administration” and “proper authority” the notice refers to—local or national.

Superintendent Cole has publicly stated that his decision is based purely on procedural adherence and is not politically motivated. He questioned how renovation on a public building could proceed without involving the key officials in the local government.

Conflicting Accounts of Communication

For his part, Mr. Dorbor Bedell, head of the foundation, claims he did not initiate the project unsolicited. He stated that the school’s principal, Mr. Emmanuel Dennis, approached him for assistance during the Dorbor Foundation’s renovation of the local headquarters of the Liberia National Police.

Mr. Bedell asserts that after completing the police station project, he coordinated with Principal Dennis and the Maryland County Education office before commencing work on the school. He expressed disbelief at a letter on an official letterhead, signed by the County Education Officer (CEO) Mr. Larry Nimely, distancing the office from any knowledge of the renovation.

However, CEO Larry Nimely provided a somewhat different account, telling this reporter he only had “informal” knowledge of the project and was awaiting specific details. He confirmed meeting with Mr. Bedell in person for the first time yesterday August 21.

Mr. Nimely stressed the importance of formal communication channels, citing a previous incident in Kahloway District where some diaspora Maryland County philanthropists renovated a public school without his knowledge, only inviting him to the dedication ceremony afterward.

An Uncertain Future

It remains unclear whether the moratorium on the renovation will be lifted if the Dorbor Foundation submits a formal expression of interest, or if the Maryland County Administration intends to proceed with its own separate plan as mentioned in the superintendent’s halt order.

Mr. Bedell has reserved further comment until after the conclusion of a meeting with representatives of his Dorbor Foundation and the County Education office to resolve the standoff.