Havre de Grace Makes Arguments For New School

won't benefit from a new high school in .

So when the current senior class president at addressed the at a , her description of the current conditions at the school outlined a pressing need.

"As far as the building and how old it is and kinda grimy, yes it is. Our toilet water is yellow and no one has even gone in it yet. And no, you do not want to drink out of the water fountain," Watson said.

» Read more about the push for a new Havre de Grace High School.

She hit on the main points that parents and community leaders reiterrated. The safety issues of Congress Avenue separating the campus, security issues, cramped hallways, poor drinking water and sanitary issues were just a few of the complaints that she and most speakers agreed upon.

Watson told Board of Education members that she wanted to bring to the meeting a "view from the kids and not just the parents."

"We really hope that you consider our school and help us out," Watson said. "I won't be there, but maybe 30 years from now I might bring my kids here and I do not want them in the same building that my mother was in years and years and years ago."

The replacement of Havre de Grace High School came with an abundance of support, not only from residents and students, but also from elected officials.

Havre de Grace City Councilman , a graduate of the school, discussed the security issue with the main entrance being separated from the front office, making it hard to see who entered or left the building.

"The Board of Education's goal is to provide a safe secure learning environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning. Given the current condition at we are undoubtedly falling short of that goal," Glenn said.

Earlier in the week, PTA President, Deanna Lawrence Smith to PTA members urging parents, coaches of Monday night sports, and students to attend Monday evening's meeting. 

At the meeting, Smith presented a high school renovations chart to Board of Education members which illustrated various renovations or new construction to all Harford County high schools.

"There has been 30 years of no activity for kids to benefit from," Smith said.

In her closing arguments, Smith focused on the school's last renovation taking place in 1983 and asked the Board of Education for it to be "our turn."

The proposed  will be voted on at the Board of Education meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.

TELL US: What are your thoughts on a new high school? What stood out from Monday's meeting? Leave a comment.