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Parents, staff and students urge board to replace aging Southern High School, not just renovate

Anne Arundel County Board of Education · January 10, 2026
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Summary

Multiple speakers at the Anne Arundel County Board of Education public hearing urged the board to pursue a full replacement of Southern High School rather than incremental renovations, citing structural age, mold and inadequate facilities and pointing to a proposed $7.5 million FY27 renovation line and '50 plus million' needed thereafter.

Southern High School parents, staff and students told the Anne Arundel County Board of Education on Thursday that a full replacement, rather than piecemeal renovations, is needed to meet modern safety and educational standards.

"Investing $65,000,000 into an outdated building is a Band Aid," said Julia Howe, a parent and community member, summarizing the case made by multiple speakers. Counsel and community members flagged persistent concerns including water intrusion and mold smells in the gym, outdated HVAC and classroom components, broken bathroom fixtures and limited athletic facilities.

The comments came during a public hearing on the superintendent's FY27 operating and capital budget recommendation. Maisie Howard, a District 7 parent, urged the board to "track this line item" and ensure funds reach Southern High School and Southern Middle School to address aging roofs, parking and traffic flows that she said harm student and staff well-being. Marissa Britton, who described herself as a parent and practitioner in healthy school design, warned that a building assessment could fail modern standards and said the district should not ask students to learn in conditions that "actively undermine their health."

The superintendent's recommendation includes $7,500,000 in FY27 for systemic renovations and "50 plus million" over the following two years, figures Howe and others cited when arguing the sum is insufficient for replacement. Speakers asked the board to coordinate with county, state and federal partners to secure funds for a new facility rather than continuing to invest in an aging structure.

Board members did not take action during the hearing; the public comments will inform board questions and potential amendments at upcoming workshops and the February meeting. The board's staff said public input from this hearing will be used to formulate questions for the January workshop and budget amendments due by the February board meeting.