Petition: End The Neglect of Sherwood High School

 

The Issue

Sherwood High School is plagued by hazards that jeopardize the health and well-being of everyone within its walls due to years of neglect by the county. 

Persistent mold, aging plumbing, malfunctioning HVAC system, sewage issues, leaks, broken tiles, bad ventilation, and asbestos are not just inconveniences—they are contributing factors to illnesses that have impacted students, teachers and staff for years. The deterioration of the school's infrastructure is undeniable, especially considering that certain parts of the building have not been improved since the 1950s.  It is unconscionable for our children and their teachers to spend their days in an environment that poses significant health risks.

Teachers, students and staff at Sherwood High School experience respiratory illnesses while in the building. In fact, twenty-eight IAQ complaint forms were submitted to MCPS last week alone.  A high number of teachers and staff past and present received a cancer diagnosis which has created fear in our community.  Everyone in the lower level of the building endures moldy and sewage smells on a daily basis. Students deal with drastic temperature fluctuations while switching to and from areas of the school that are either unbearably hot or too cold. There is visible mold growing in areas of the school and teachers are equipped with spray bottles that contain bleach because they constantly wipe mold from furniture and teaching materials.  Bathrooms are frequently "out of order".  My daughter spends her morning in a moldy classroom and suffers from a "cold” often. These conditions do not create a healthy, safe and positive environment for learning. 

 Read what some teachers endure: 

https://www.change.org/p/end-the-neglect-of-sherwood-high-school?source_location=search