To the Cumberland County Board of Education and the Superintendent:

We, the undersigned students, parents, alumni, staff, and community members, respectfully call on Cumberland County Schools to immediately prioritize the construction of a new E.E. Smith High School facility.

E.E. Smith High School has long been a cornerstone of our community, educating generations of students and serving as a source of pride and opportunity. However, the current conditions of the school are detrimental to both students and staff. The aging facility is no longer capable of supporting the educational, safety, and operational needs of a modern high school.

The need for a new facility has already been recognized, voted on, and approved, demonstrating clear support from the community for this important project. Despite this approval, progress has been delayed while the needs of students and staff continue to grow more urgent.

Outdated infrastructure, limited classroom space, and deteriorating facilities create daily challenges that negatively impact the learning environment and the ability of teachers and staff to effectively do their jobs. These conditions place unnecessary strain on everyone who learns and works within the school.

Our students deserve a safe, modern, and fully functional learning environment that supports academic success, extracurricular programs, and college and career readiness. Our educators deserve facilities that allow them to provide the highest quality education possible.

Delaying action will only make the situation more difficult and more costly. The time to build a new E.E. Smith High School is now.

We respectfully urge the Cumberland County Board of Education and the Superintendent to prioritize funding, planning, and construction of the new facility immediately, honoring the decision that has already been approved and ensuring that current and future students have the environment they deserve.

Our school needs help now, and our community cannot afford to wait any longer.

-Dr. Retha Purcell