I am writing in response to an article that appeared in the May 29 issue of the Sentry, regarding a recent visit the New England Association of Schools and Colleges made to South Portland High School. The article stated that the visit “went off without a hitch,” yet nothing could be further from the truth. 

 The accreditation committee states in a letter dated April 29, 2009: “… [our] concerns include but are not limited to: the serious level of structural decay; the lack of full compliance with federal, state, and local codes; limited capacity of the outdated electrical system; poorly operating HVAC system; hundreds of stained ceiling tiles; ongoing issues with roof leaks; the presence of mold; leaking toilets; broken restroom stalls; air-borne particles emitted from noisy heaters; the presence of asbestos in ceiling tiles, pipe wrappings, and floor tiles in the annex; lack of handicapped access to the building…”  and so on. Wouldn’t you consider decaying buildings filled with toxins a “hitch?”

 To be fair, the school did receive numerous accolades with respect to programming, staffing, professional development, collaboration, and academic achievement. How is it the most difficult accomplishments, requiring the utmost planning, time, effort, and diligence were achieved, whereas something as basic and transparent as building maintenance has been neglected to the point of being hazardous to the health of our children and teachers? It’s mind boggling. 

 There is nothing more important than educating our children. South Portland High School is currently at risk of losing its NEACS accreditation, which will put our children at an extreme disadvantage when applying to college. A national survey of college admissions officers revealed overwhelming support for school accreditation with 72 percent indicating that accreditation is either very important or virtually necessary for acceptance of a student into college. Losing school accreditation could also adversely affect local property value by as much as 30 percent. 

 I urge you to take the concerns about our public schools seriously. On June 9 at the community center, there will be a referendum on the operating budget for the school system as well as a bond initiative to fund the capital improvements needed to ensure the health and safety of our students, teachers, and administrators. The truth cannot be ignored any longer. Let us vote in favor of our schools and, ultimately, our students. A quality education, unlike a building, can sustain itself for a lifetime.

Janet Steady 

South Portland