School Committee Chair Provides Additional Information

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To the Editor of THE LISBON REPORTER,

Recently I forwarded to the THE LISBON REPORTER a copy of the pamphlet from the Lisbon School Department asking the voters' help in making certain that Lisbon High School students graduate from an accredited high school. That brochure is also being mailed to all homes in the community. I am writing here because space limitations in the pamphlet prevented us from fully targeting the need.

We have for several months now been reporting to the townspeople the critical situation at Lisbon High School which graduated its first class in 1951. The original building including the gym is 58 years old! School buildings are intended to last for only 50 years. Those building needs are visible in a tour of the building and outlined in the NEASC report (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), available online at www.union30.org, the Lisbon School Department's web site. The web site also includes a video report done by Channel 8.

In a recent visit from Dr. Gray-Bennett, head of the NEASC organization, we learned that the Lisbon High School situation is even more dire than the original NEASC report indicates. Dr. Gray-Bennett was unwilling to cut the School Department and the Town of Lisbon absolutely any leeway in correcting the problems which have to do with Health and Safety, Building Infrastructure, Negative Impact on Teaching and Learning, and finally a Negative Impact on College Admission and Students' Ability to win Scholarships. In fact, our status is being reduced from Warning to On Probation. If we do nothing to begin to correct the problems, our status will become Unaccredited.

Losing that Accreditation will have very negative consequences for our students seeking admission to college. Admissions Directors need to know that the students they are considering have had courses that are challenging and meeting the standards of the admitting colleges. Scholarships are awarded to students who have graduated from accredited institutions. Many Lisbon graduates are recipients of much needed financial assistance which allows them to continue their education. Without that money in outright scholarships, grants, or work-study assistance, many of our graduates will be kept out of post secondary and thus denied the opportunity to realize their dreams.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WHICH YOU CAN HELP REMEDY. THE LISBON SCHOOL COMMITTEE IS SEEKING A POSITIVE VOTE ON THE PROPOSED BOND ANTICIPATION REFERENDUM (BAN) SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 21, 2009. ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THE TOWN OFFICE.

The BAN seeks $500,000 in a home equity-like draw down account to allow us to have the building analyzed by engineers to determine if the building can be renovated or if we'll have to build new. We anticipate that the initial work will cost about $20,000, similar to what Auburn has just spent on their analysis of their aging EL building as reported in THE LEWISTON SUN JOURNAL (April 2, 2009). Specifics of the BAN and the pay back procedure are included in the pamphlet recently mailed to all homes.

We plan on conducting more tours of Lisbon High: Saturday April 11th and 18th from 9 to 11 am as well as throughout the day on April 21st, the day of the Referendum Vote. If you haven't been on one, please take the time. It takes only about an hour to complete. We look forward to meeting you.

You have an opportunity to give your kids, grand kids, or the neighbors' children a gift that will keep on giving, the opportunity to graduate from a high school that is SAFE, SOLID, PLEASANT FOR TEACHING and LEARNING, and ACCREDITED, a chance to realize their dreams.

If you'd like more information, contact Superintendent Shannon Welsh at 353-6711.

Thank you very much for your help and support. Please help to keep the Dream Alive.

Sincerely,
Prudence Grant
Lisbon School Committee Chairperson
April 3, 2009