Reno advances: debate persists

Custodian+Derek+Williams+fixes+a+leak+on+the+first+floor+in+March+2016.

Min Kang

Custodian Derek Williams fixes a leak on the first floor in March 2016.

Meera Rothman, Editor in chief

Even as plans for renovation are revised and revealed to the public with a June start date in mind, opponents continue public opposition.

Jennifer Tarr, parent of a student here and an active member of Friends of Dulaney, was one of the people who spoke up at the Nov. 17 Central Area Educational Advisory Council meeting in the auditorium.

“We spoke mostly about the useless limited renovation that covers very little and covers almost no site work,” Tarr said. “Pete Dixit with facilities attempted to answer questions about the poor renovation proposed, but truly it’s up to the County Executive and Dr. Dance who were not present.”

The meeting, which drew about 20 people, enabled them to ask questions about the evolving renovation plans for the 51-year-old original school building. Friends of Dulaney member Yara Cheikh also spoke there and called the renovation fiscally irresponsible.

“The school needs to be rebuilt,” she said in an email. “The county has not committed to spending nearly the same funds per square foot that it has spent on recent renovations at neighboring high schools.”

Renovations will encompass air conditioning, new piping, classroom updates, office updates and more, principal Sam Wynkoop said this fall. The auditorium will get new seats, flooring and air conditioning, he said.

During the school’s first faculty meeting, Wynkoop told staff that once renovation begins they should expect to see ttrailers on site and construction workers entering the school to complete projects after hours.

Staff writer Matilde Cascella contributed to this report.