Peabody High receives unfavorable report by schools group

PEABODY – Peabody Veterans Memorial High School will hold on to its “warning” status by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), despite hearty efforts by the city, school department, staff, and students over the last year to make vast improvements.The report, conducted by the Commission on Public Secondary Schools, praised PVMHS on a plethora of things, such as its focus on essential learning skills, electives, the vocational program, school pride and the high quality of guidance services given the limited resources available. It also credited the school for its display of genuine and mutual respect among students and faculty, as well as the strong, meaningful relationships between teachers and students that promote a positive classroom and school climate.However, it was criticized for several budget-related items, such as the lack of technological updates and current textbooks, teacher retention, limited storage space and cuts in custodial staff, among others.The suggestions made by the Commission didn’t sit well with School Committee members or Mayor Michael Bonfanti, for over the last few years, the city has poured over $21 million into improvements, in addition to $700,000 for technology enhancements alone.”I’m not a big supporter of NEASC,” Bonfanti said. “However, we will do everything in our power to correct these findings.”Bonfanti took offense to the negative comment about the school’s ADA compliance, a project that was underway during the three-day visit last April.High School Principal Ed Sapienza said much of what they commented on has already been taking care of, i.e. bathrooms, elevators, doorways, staircase railings, and light switches.”They weren’t able to see much because of the construction,” he said.The same goes with instructional criticisms, said Sapienza, who presented the information to the School Committee Wednesday night.”We’ve already begun working on all of these,” he said, noting the recent practices around rubrics and the installation of several laptops and SMART Boards. “I’m confident?We’re going to be in good shape once we write our (follow-up) report.”School Committee member Dave McGeney expressed his discontent with some of the Commission’s findings.”It’s almost like they were really reaching, really trying to find things,” he said. “We’re stepping up to the plate and making progress when others around us (are not).”McGeney said that despite the report’s well intentions, it’s “harmful.””It makes it harder to do our job, not easier,” he said.Sapienza said that many of the items should be cleared when he submits the Special Progress report. He hopes to submit the report sooner than later, in an effort to reverse the stigma, and regain the much more appealing “no status.”