Report: PVMHS teachers shine, building does not

PEABODY – After reading a 67-page report that praised high school teachers, yet criticized the facility itself, School Committee members and administrative leaders learned how to hold their heads up high, take the good with the bad, and to keep on moving forward.The report was written by a 16-member accreditation team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) who spent time within the city’s high school last April. During a three-day period, the team shadowed students, observed classroom activities, and individually met with 32 teachers to discuss their work and instructional approaches, among many other tasks, as part of the 10-year accreditation process.”Upon arrival at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, one soon discovers that the drab, ugly, austere, warehouse-like building presents a massive deception regarding the warm, humanistic, even familiar, environment for teaching and learning housed within,” the report began.The opening statement had both Mayor Michael J. Bonfanti and high school principal Ed Sapienza furious and expecting the worst.”When I first read the report, steam came out of my ears,” said Bonfanti.”When I first read this, my heart jumped into my mouth,” said Sapienza.The report continued, however, to say that the adults at Peabody High School are “student-friendly, caring, and respectful.””They (students) see adults who are respectful of students and each other, approachable, supportive, dedicated, often selfless, and clearly passionate about their work and their school,” it further stated.Based on the report, the NEASC representatives appeared to be very pleased and impressed with the interactions between students and staff, as well as between the students and their peers.Criticism arose when the report discussed the school’s curriculum, building structure and funding efforts.It was the following statement that got most members of the School Committee heated.”While the students, staff, and administration of Peabody High School enjoy the appreciation and respect of the supporting parental community, that respect is not accompanied by the requisite funding support by community leaders to provide the resources needed for the school to fulfill its mission.””This Committee gives a damn,” said Bonfanti, praising the efforts of all its members. “There is no one who I have met that cares more about our kids than Beverley Dunne.”Much of what the report criticized the city for is already being taken care of, such as making the school ADA compliant, installing a new sprinkler system, fire alarms and windows, as well as updating bathrooms. The school has also begun working on the recommendation to use rubrics as a way to create a level playing field for all students. And, in the last two years, over $700,000 has been spent on technology improvements.”I don’t think there’s anything in the report that can’t be fixed,” said a hopeful Sapienza, who promised to continue to work hard to solve the problem. “I see the report as a challenge. If we pool all of our resources and manage things correctly, we’re going to be OK.”School Committee member Dave McGeney agreed.”We’ll take some criticisms as corrective and accept the challenge,” he said. “We can do better, we will do better and every day we are doing better.”Sapienza anticipates receiving the Commission’s findings shortly, although he’s content with waiting.”The longer it takes, the better off we are,” he said.