The parent of a student at Oldfields School has sued officials of the Baltimore County institution, which announced in April it would close next school year, in an attempt to keep it open.
Filed by Lisa Geyer, parent of a 16-year-old student, the lawsuit alleges that the Oldfields board of trustees and interim head of school failed to maintain the girls school. According to the complaint filed in Baltimore County Circuit Court on Friday, the day of the school’s graduation, Oldfields hadn’t experienced significant debt, but leaders knew they wanted to close as far back as October.
“In sum, the Board now demands closure of the school for one reason and one reason only: the Board is no longer committed to leading a flourishing school,” the complaint reads.
The complaint asks that a judge issue an emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep the school open, and also seeks damages. Geyer is represented by Doug Gansler, a former Maryland attorney general.
The suit names Interim Head of School Nancy Palmer, members of the board of trustees and another school official.
Oldfields School, founded in 1867, declined to comment.
Located in Sparks Glencoe, the girls boarding and day school cited “recent trends and obstacles” that have challenged independent schools nationwide in announcing its closure. Officials were working on a partnership with Garrison Forest School, a K-12 girls boarding and day school in Owings Mills, to allow current Oldfields students to transfer.
Some members of the Oldfields community have attempted to save the school through fundraising efforts. A member of the fundraising group reported that it had exceeded its goal of raising $20 million in mid-May. However, the school’s board said $35 million is needed to stay afloat.
The board has yet to say whether the funds raised will keep the school open.
