What would any of us do if you were told that your high school was being closed and there was no other reason other than there not being enough money in the budget?
Well this is what happened to students, alumni, teachers, and faculty of North Carroll High School, NCHS, in Hampstead, Maryland.
September 9, 2015 it was first mentioned about the possible closure of NCHS. This is when the rallying started to Save NCHS. I was into my first semester of my freshmen year of college. When I heard the news I wish I was home to go to the gathering at the Carroll County Board of Education. December 10, 2015 was when BOE decided to close North Carroll, which did not go over well at all in the community. The BOE did not listen to what anyone said about how the closing would negatively impact everyone involved. Also it is thought as a rushed decision because there is a hidden reason for wanting to close NCHS.
Across the street from North Carroll a spice plant is being built, which has made several members of the community feel that because the property value is increasing on the land where NCHS sits that the BOE and the rest of the county wants to use the land for something other than a high school that is 60 years old.
The process of closing this school did not go through the proper process required. It was also interesting because Governor Hogan was giving extra money to Carroll County to try to keep schools from being closed. However, Superintendent Stephan Guthrie did not seem to care about this generosity of the Governor and had his mind focused on one thing and one thing only. Closing NCHS.
Most recently there is an appeal of NCHS being closed in progress. Hearings plan to begin May 31 and can potentially go through June 17. However, students have already been notified of where they will be attending school next year. So what difference does this make? Why does the BOE think that it is okay to move students from their high school, when it is proven that high school has a lot of adjustment happening. Also it is one of the hardest times for students, and when a lot of teens are finding their place within their social group.
Does it make sense for the class of 2017 to spend 3 years at North Carroll and then have to graduate from a school that they only spend a year at?
North Carroll had a huge impact on my life. I discovered what I wanted to do because of the teachers I had around me. Mr. Aaron Geiman pushed me to always strive for the best that I can possibly do and he is the reason that I found what I wanted to do. He knew what I was capable of and knew that if he pushed me hard enough that I would succeed.
There is no longer going to be the North Carroll/Man Val rivalry, something that brought together communities of Hampstead and Manchester for a fun filled rivalry that not only the students can be involved in, but parents and faculty as well. I loved going to these sporting events and I even went home to watch the last football rivalry game because who knew what the final outcome would be.
This closing of North Carroll has brought all generations together to fight to keep the doors open. Also communities of other high schools in the county have come out to help show the BOE that this is not the right decision and that they are not just affecting students of NCHS, but the ones of the schools that the students are going to be placed.
man running in forestPhoto by 
