08/20/2026
🚨 MURPHY HIGH SCHOOL NEEDS OUR ATTENTION
Structural termite damage has been documented in the library and computer-lab areas at Murphy High School. According to reporting on the MCPSS emergency declaration, the situation is serious enough that affected areas have been closed, temporary structural shoring is required, and selective demolition is planned to determine how extensive the concealed damage actually is.
For a school that just celebrated 100 years on Carlen Street, this should concern every Murphy alumnus, parent, student and supporter.
WHAT WE STILL DON’T KNOW
There are basic questions that deserve answers:
• When was the damage first discovered?
• Who performed the original termite and structural inspections?
• How long could this damage have been developing?
• What termite inspection and prevention program was in place at Murphy?
• Is there a termite bond or structural-damage warranty?
• How extensive is the damage beyond what has already been exposed?
• What will repairs cost?
• How long will the library and computer-lab areas remain closed?
• Is the remainder of the historic campus being inspected for similar concealed damage?
This information should be communicated openly to the Murphy community.
WHAT ABOUT THE HISTORIC LIBRARY MURALS?
This is especially concerning because Murphy’s library contains historic murals that were rediscovered and restored after having been covered for decades.
We are not saying the murals have been damaged. We currently have no evidence establishing that.
But structural repairs and selective demolition are planned in the library area.
Before that work proceeds around these historic pieces, alumni deserve to know:
Have the murals been evaluated and documented?
What specific measures are being taken to protect them during demolition and construction?
Once historic material is destroyed, it cannot simply be replaced.
THIS IS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
Murphy is a century-old historic campus. Buildings like Murphy require aggressive preventive maintenance, inspections and preservation.
What is troubling is the appearance that serious problems at Murphy are too often addressed after they become emergencies.
We hope that appearance is wrong.
MCPSS can demonstrate that by being transparent: release the inspection findings, explain what happened, show the community the repair plan and tell us what is being done to prevent this from happening elsewhere on campus.
Murphy deserves proactive care — not simply emergency repairs after significant deterioration is discovered.
🐾 MURPHY ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS: SPEAK UP
Please be respectful, but make your concern known.
📞 MURPHY HIGH SCHOOL
251-221-3186
📞 MCPSS CENTRAL OFFICE
251-221-4000
1 Magnum Pass
Mobile, AL 36618
🏛️ MURPHY’S ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Sherry Dillihay-McDade — District 4
President, Mobile County Board of School Commissioners
📧 [email protected]
📞 251-221-4000 — ask for Board Services / District 4
Murphy High School is specifically listed by MCPSS as one of the schools in District 4.
Call Central Office. Email our Board representative. Ask questions.
And most importantly:
🏛️ ATTEND THE NEXT MOBILE COUNTY BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS MEETING.
Murphy supporters need to be there and respectfully ask these questions on the public record.
This isn’t about attacking teachers, staff members or the person answering the telephone. There are people inside Murphy who care tremendously about this school.
This is about accountability at the level responsible for maintaining and protecting a taxpayer-owned, historic public school.
Murphy survived its first 100 years.
The decisions being made today will determine what condition we leave it in for the next generation.
Don’t just share this post.
📞 CALL.
📧 EMAIL.
🏛️ SHOW UP.
🐾 SPEAK UP FOR MURPHY.
— MHS Anonymous Panther
SOURCES
• NBC 15 News, Aug. 20, 2026 — Reporting on the MCPSS emergency declaration documenting structural termite damage, closure of affected areas, temporary shoring, selective demolition and anticipated structural repairs.
• Mobile County Public Schools — Official Murphy High School contact information and Mobile County Board of School Commissioners information, including identification of Murphy as a District 4 school.
• Alabama Division of Construction Management — Official procedures governing emergency K–12 construction projects and contractor solicitation.
• National Register of Historic Places documentation — Historical documentation concerning the Murphy High School campus.
• Historical photographic documentation of Murphy’s library murals — Documentation concerning the murals’ history, rediscovery and restoration.
As additional inspection reports, engineering findings, proposals and costs become public, we will continue documenting what is happening at Murphy High School.
WKRG
FOX10 News
NBC 15 News
al.com
Murphy Alumni Association, Inc.
MHS Alumni Boosters
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