Fixing Up High School Critical for Accreditation

Keeping East Providence High School’s accreditation may depend on fixing up the building.

Superintendent Kim Mercer told the School Committee at a special meeting last Friday night, June 28, that the physical condition of the school is a concern for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

“The physical plant needs to be addressed,” said Mercer, particularly the science facilities and the school’s lack of compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “We need to take a good look (at the building) in the very near future and address the problems that are there.”

NEASC accredited the high school for 10 years in 2008. Mercer and other school officials met recently with NEASC representatives for a mid-point review, according to eastbayri.com.

Mercer said that the high school is doing “phenomenal” in teaching and learning, according to the five-year review. The school is right where it needs to be, she said.

But the school also needs to provide an education in an acceptable environment, Mercer said. That’s where the primary concern lies.

During the accreditation discussion, several School Committee members lobbed some heavy criticism at the City Council for not meeting together to discuss the condition of school buildings – particularly Mayor James Briden, Assistant Mayor Thomas Rose and City Councilor Helder Cunha, who have rejected holding a joint meeting with the School Committee to discuss the condition of the schools.

School Committee member Anthony Ferreira, Chairman Joel Monteiro and Vice Chairman Timothy Conley all sad they they are disappointed with the three city councilors who have been unwilling to meet with the School Committee. The other two councilors, Tracey Capobianco and Chrissy Rossi, a former School Committee member, have pushed the idea.

Monteiro said: “I know I can so more to reach out. And we need to get the people on board. They need to hold their feet to the fire.”

Ferreira said: “We need to pull together, build a road together, repave it and drive through it.” He also said he would work to oust any city councilor during the next election season if they did not cooperate with the School Committee.

Conley said that the condition of the high school is “the most important” issue East Providence faces.

“We need to solve this together as a city,” he said. “No one person can resolve this. It is incumbent upon us to inform the people of these problems and to tell them what our plan is to fix it.”