It's time to update Howard High School

I feel I must speak out in support of allocating money now to improve the condition of Howard High School, lest it be forgotten as an overwhelming number of people speak out for the elementary schools.

There are urgent needs and inequitable conditions at Howard High School. We're not asking for a brand new school, but do not forget that most of these additional northeast elementary and middle school children will soon need seats (and other accommodations) at Howard High.

When my first daughter went to Ellicott Mills, I told my neighbors that the old building did not make a difference in the education of my children, that the quality of the staff and student willingness to learn was more important.

But there was a feeling of tiredness to the building that transferred itself to the staff and students. There seemed to be nothing to be proud of. And the transformation caused by moving to a new building was unbelievable.

I came to realize that, in addition to the new bricks and mortar and pretty paint that made the physical surroundings pleasant and a place the students and staff were proud to say was theirs, many amenities only come with the capital spending of a new building - for instance, new computers and wiring for the latest technology, new textbooks, a well-stocked media center, an office area that the administration can operate efficiently, and many more items such as these that were not so highly visible.

Such amenities have a direct influence on the quality of education our children receive.

I see a similar situation at Howard High School. I see no reason to "celebrate" 50 years, when I see the conditions that have been allowed.

The whole atmosphere is "tired" and expectations are low. Many parents do not even bother to testify because, from their experience, Howard High gets ignored and projects are continually delayed. Funding has not been equitable. Looking at the results of our newer vs. older schools, we've created the "haves" and "have-nots."

We want funding for the new books, the technology upgrades, the well-stocked media centers as resources for our students. We want enough space for the ROTC and Tech Ed students to be housed in the main building, handicap access throughout the building, a larger cafeteria to handle the number of students, an updated and safe auditorium and other details outlined in Option 1.

With the amount of building that needs to be accomplished, a one-year timetable may not be feasible, but we must not take four years to accomplish what is needed today.

The funding being requested is not for fluff, but will directly affect the quality of academic education that our children deserve.

Denise Fiackos

Ellicott City