NEASC
Founded in 1885
NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS & COLLEGES, INC.
COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Director PAMELA GRAY-BENNETT. Ed.D. pgraybennett@neasc.org	Associate Director JANET D. ALLISON jallison@neasc.org
Secretary to the Director ROBERTA E. KNIGHT rknight@neasc.org	Associate Director JOSEPH M. DAISY jdaisy@neasc.org

January 28, 2000

Christopher Cairns
Principal
Oyster River High School
55 Coe Drive
Durham,NH 03824

Dear Mr. Cairns:

The Commission on Public Secondary Schools, at its January 9-10, 2000 meeting, reviewed the Two-Year Progress Report of Oyster River High School and voted to recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Association that the school be placed on probation because of its failure to adhere to the Commission's Standards for Accreditation on Curriculum, Instruction, School Resources for Learning and Community Resources for Learning (which includes criteria related to the former standard on School Facilities.)

Consistent with Association policies, school officials have the opportunity to show cause why the Commission should not forward such a recommendation for probation to the Association's Board of Trustees. If Oyster River High School elects to show cause, it should file a written submission of its case by February 25, 2000 by providing information, beyond that contained in the school's Two-Year Progress Report, which demonstrates that the problems cited either do not exist or have been resolved. The school's show-cause response will be reviewed at the next Commission meeting, March 19-20,2000. If the school chooses not to show cause, it should so inform the Commission in writing by February 25, 2000. The adverse recommendation would then be forwarded to the Board of Trustees at its March 9, 2000 meeting. Correspondence from the school should be sent to the Commission office by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Since a request for a show-cause response is a serious matter, the Commission has asked that I review the communications between the school and the Commission since the last accreditation visit in April, 1997.

At its September, 1997 meeting the Commission reviewed the evaluation report of Oyster River High School and continued the school's accreditation, but placed the school on warning for deficiencies related to the school's adherence to the Standard for Accreditation on School Facilities.

The Commission requested that the school submit a Special Progress Report by August 1, 1998 reporting the progress to develop and implement a plan to alleviate space needs in the following areas: instructional areas, conference areas, special service areas, teacher preparation areas, stage, playing fields, student lockers, locker rooms, locker room showers, parking, gymnasium, library, cafeteria, and kitchen facilities. Additionally, the school was asked to document the steps taken to ensure the even and adequate distribution of heat and air ventilation throughout all areas of the facility, replace or repair the intercom and public address system to ensure two-way communication between the office and all areas of the facility, install privacy doors for all lavatory stalls, replace or repair inoperable water fountains, repair or replace the hot water system to ensure the availability of hot water to student lavatories and for showers in the locker rooms, ensure that the facility is fully accessible to the handicapped, ensure an adequate and dependable level of funding to address all short- and long-range facility needs, and develop and implement a plan to address issues of overcrowding which adversely impact student learning.

At its September 27-28, 1998 meeting, the Commission reviewed the school's Special Progress Report and continued the school's accreditation, but voted to keep the school on warning for the Standard for Accreditation on School Facilities.

Nevertheless, the Commission was pleased to learn of the installation of a new public address system, the installation of privacy doors for all lavatory stalls, the repair of water fountains, and the active involvement of the administration and faculty in the development of the budget.

In addition to responding to the twelve recommendations highlighted in the Commission's October 27, 1997 notification letter, the school was also asked to include in its Two-Year Progress Report information regarding action taken to address the recommendations previously reported as In Progress or Planned for the Future, and to provide an update on the status of the proposed facility expansion and renovation project including a timeline for completion and occupancy.

In January 2000, the Commission reviewed the school's Two-Year Progress Report. After careful consideration of the information contained in this report, the Commission voted to recommend that the school be placed on probation for lack of reasonable progress implementing recommendations contained in the school's 1997 evaluation report related to school facilities. The Commission expressed serious concern regarding the school's failure to implement a plan to alleviate space needs as identified in the evaluation report and articulated in previous correspondence with school officials.

Additionally, the Commission cited the negative impact of overcrowding on the delivery of curriculum and instruction. Specifically, the lack of appropriate space impedes the utilization of block scheduling and innovative instructional techniques such as interdisciplinary instruction as well as limits teacher access to computers. Limited space and seating, coupled with increased enrollment, student access and class usage, have also resulted in overcrowded conditions in the library media center. Moreover, the stage area between the cafeteria and the gymnasium is too small to accommodate a major performing arts production. Finally, the lack of an adequate number of science laboratories limits the opportunity for, and availability of, laboratory science instruction for students.

We have enclosed copies of the Association's Policy and Procedure for Appeal of Adverse Action for your review as well as information on the Commission's show cause procedures. Should you have any questions about the Commission action or information that has been requested, please contact the Commission office.

Sincerely,

Pamela Gray-Bennett

PGB/cjd
Enclosures

cc:	Thomas Carroll, Superintendent, Oyster River Cooperative School District #5
	Joan Valentine, Chairperson, Oyster River School Board
	Albert R. Miller, Chair, Commission on Public Secondary Schools

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Last update on 9-Feb-00 at 11:45 PM.

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