A group of six students from Fields Road Elementary used their three-minute public-comment slots to describe daily conditions they said affect learning and dignity: non-flushing toilets, poor sinks and hand dryers, loud cafeterias that interfere with learning, and tired playground equipment or patchy fields.

"Some of those tiles have witnessed more history than the Smithsonian," said Dia Rajan, a fifth grader, describing bathroom fixtures that "don't flush" and hand dryers that "exhale one sad lukewarm puff." Rajan framed the request as dignity and hygiene, not luxury.

Other student speakers asked the board for noise‑reducing ceiling tiles in the cafeteria (Elena Johnson), more seating and better circulation to shorten lunch lines (Miles Griffith), and modern, safer playground equipment including rubber surfacing and resurfaced blacktop (Zara Taylor, Jack Rishon). The PTA also asked for classroom carpeting replacements and improved lighting on rear steps and perimeter pathways to address safety after dark.

Fields Road PTA leaders said paint, new carpeting in older classrooms and improved lighting are relatively low-cost, high-impact upgrades that benefit student morale, staff retention and community pride. MCPS staff and board members noted painting cycles and PLAR funding levels and agreed to include Fields Road in the follow-up list of schools for near-term maintenance assessments. No formal vote took place; the board requested staff to provide a status update at a future work session.