School Related Questions:

Why can’t we just fund the repairs necessary and not bother with a new building or a major renovation?

It might be possible to repair portions of the building that are known to need work.  For example, the roof, windows, heating system all are in need of replacement.  Unfortunately, repairs on these systems alone would be very costly, and we would still be left with a building that has serious deficiencies, such as inadequate science labs, music facilities, library and public spaces, and computer infrastructure. To correct these deficiencies and bring the school up to 21st century standards, a major renovation will be required. Our Statement of Interest document, submitted to the MSBA in 2006 to begin this process, extensively details the current deficiencies in the Tahanto facility. To view our Statement of Interest document as submitted to the MSBA, click here.

Shouldn’t we just build a new school rather than continue to upgrade and renovate a school built nearly 50 years ago?

The Feasibility Study allowed the MSBA to fully assess whether a major renovation on the existing building is possible, or if new construction is required. The problems with the existing facility, the expected population growth over the next 10 years, the educational vision of the school administration and faculty, and the anticipated available budget and state reimbursement schedule were all factors that were taken into account.  The MSBA concurred with the findings of the Feasibility Study that new construction was the most cost effective and educationally sound option.

Are there building safety concerns that put my child at risk while at school?

To date, the school has been evaluated several times in past studies, and there has never been any indication that the school poses any safety concerns.

Are we at risk of losing our accreditation?  What are the implications if we do?

Currently, the Tahanto Middle/High School is on “warning status” and the NEASC has indicated that we will continue to stay on warning status through 2010 (the next five-year review). If we do lose our accreditation, our students will be graduating from an unaccredited High School which may impact their applications to post-secondary schools. To read the most recent NEASC letter, click here.

What is the likelihood that the NEASC will put the school on probation, and when might that happen?  What does it mean?

If there is no substantial progress toward addressing the “deficiencies of the facilities” then NEASC could potentially put the school on probation at that time and then there is a risk that we could lose accreditation status if we are unable to show progress toward addressing the facility issue.