EPHS Receives Full NESDEC Accreditation

EP High School Off NEASC Probation

(The 62 year old building was on probation for Structure not Academics)

East Providence High School has officially received the welcomed news that it is no longer on probation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and has full accredidation. The high school has been on a warning status by NEASC since a 2008 inspection cited the building for several physical deficiencies. The high school staff received the word from Superintendent Kim Mercer and Principal Janet Sheehan late Friday October 24th after school. "Today, Townie faculty and staff learned of the decision by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) to declare EPHS fully accredited. This means that NEASC recognizes EPHS in its establishment and maintenance of high standards in educational excellence. This is a huge step for, and by the community," said a statement by Ward 3 school committee member Nathan Cahoon. "Should you see Superintendent Mercer, Principal Sheehan, Facilities Director Ed Catelli or any of the Townie faculty and staff about town, please congratulate them. And if you were involved in any of the efforts to restore old Alma Mater to glory, particularly those led by John Carnevale and D'amours Step, give yourself a hand," continued the Cahoon statement. The official NESDEC report hasn't been released to the public yet but it is clear now that the long anticipated accreditation for the high school has come to fruition.

During a public tour of the building several months ago, schools superintendent Kim Mercer was confident that things were looking up. “The cleanliness and physical condition of parts of the school is why NEASC put us (high school) on probation,” Mercer said. “They have no problem with our instruction,” the Superintendent made a point to say. “We have completed over 100,000 square feet of new floor tiles. All the old tiles and asbestos concerns are gone,” Ed Catelli, Director of Buildings and grounds for the city and schools added. The Superintendent pointed out a new fire hose connector installed within the building. “In the event it is needed, the fire department can connect hoses directly for water without going to an outside fire hydrant.”

Visitors to the 63 year old high school now are greeted by gleaming new floor tiles, new lighting, and new doors and door hardware. There is a new sprinkler system and new wiring with an updated fire alarm as well as a new school PA system. Technology upgrades and handicapped accessibility improvements have been made. A new guidance department configuration has been completed which allows student direct access to that area from the corridor without traversing through a crowded one entrance/exit office. A new science lab which had been the source of concern because of construction delays is done. And many other physical improvements are now complete. The one big area that has a lot of people saddened is the deterioration of the once beautiful pool. Thousands of dollars were spent on new windows and energy upgrades but the pool's sub-structure will not meet safety standards. Because a pool is not required in a high school, it won't affect accreditation. One area that needs to be refurbished are the upper walls in most classrooms. "They all need a good paint job and were working on that."

Most improvements were done by funding from an original $15 million bond issue. Even though a bond issue had been authorized by the public, work had been slow to take shape. Current officials believe that NESDEC was hesitant to issue this accreditation earlier because of a lack of confidence in prior school administrations and elected officials. “I think our wrists were slapped by NEASC,” School Board Chairman Joel Monteiro previously told The Reporter. “I understand why there weren’t happy. When the accreditation team was here last May, they saw very little progress since their first visit,” Monteiro offered. School Committee member Tim Conley agreed. “There was a concern that very little was done. Only about 10% of the needed work was done. Since then we now have finished some 40%,” Conley said. Monteiro and Conley and others made it clear that they felt the problems were with prior school leaders. "I am very happy with the work that our new Superintendent Mercer has put into this effort now," said Monteiro. "Our entire current committee worked well with Superintendent Mercer to make this happen," added Monteiro.

City taxpayers caught a break when the long neglected high school gymnasium was recently totally refurbished, mostly by the volunteer efforts of school graduates John Carnevale, Joe Wahl and others. Engineer Carnevale put together an effort which raised some $100,000. The school’s small gym was also remodeled by the “Townie Project” as Carnevale referred to his philanthropic endeavor. “I have a love for my city, my school, my people,” said Carnevale, a 2000 graduate of the school. Since then the inspirational Carnevale has led an effort to raise funds and work to refurbish both middle school gymnasiums.

Watching the turn of events closely from his classroom as a history teacher in the high school and also from the State House where he sits as District 62 State Representative, Gregg Amore is pleased. "I think a great deal of credit should go to the current school committee and superintendent for their laser like focus on rectifying the most pressing facilities related problems at EPHS," said Amore. Amore wants to keep focused on the rehabilitation of the high school and other school sites. "It's very important that we don't take our eye off the ball, there is still a long way to go before we have the kind of facility that our students and staff need and deserve. But this is a very good start," he added. Representative Amore also wants the state to allow individual communities to build new schools as they may need to. Currently the state has stopped allowing such projects. "I am going to continue to work hard at the state level to press my colleagues to lift the school construction project moratorium so that we can address serious school infrastructure problems we face statewide. This is an investment that will create modern learning facilities and create jobs at the same time," said Amore.

“Things look good here now. It’s a sad day in East Providence when you’re building is the accreditation problem, not the instruction. They (NEASC) have no concerns with our instruction. They want a five year plan. A five year plan for more financing will be out this week. We have a timeline for capital expense. I’m trying to budget $1 million per year,” said Mercer previously.

Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc., is the nation’s oldest accrediting association, serving more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities in the six states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont and American/international schools in more than sixty-five nations worldwide.