King City High Dealt a Blow: School Loses Accreditation, Forced to Reapply

By The Monterey County Herald, Calif.

Jul. 13–The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has denied accreditation to King City High School, setting up a lengthy reapplication process that could place the diplomas of the class of 2008 and beyond in jeopardy.

The news came in a letter Tuesday from Gary Davis, chairman of the WASC’s Accreditation Commission for Schools.

Two weeks ago, the King City Joint Union High School District was put on notice by WASC that the high school’s accreditation was in jeopardy. Davis’ letter was confirmation of the worst fears of district parents, students, teachers and administrators.

Davis wrote that the high school “has not made significant progress in responding to the critical areas,” citing five areas of concern: –leadership and collaboration in curriculum development that ensures alignment to California academic standards; –increased involvement of all stakeholders in relation to improved high quality student learning; –the use of achievement data to modify the teaching-learning process; –improved and/or expanded teaching strategies and practices; and –a lack of cohesive and collaborative organizational structure.

Principal Daniel Lunt expressed confidence that the district would weather the storm. At a hastily called board meeting Wednesday night, Lunt said parents were very concerned, and while some were looking for someone to blame, most were focused on how to fix the problems.

“It’s not an easy or happy time, but there’s a lot of good coming from it,” Lunt said Thursday. “Last night was an opportunity for many people to ask questions and vent frustrations, but also to find solutions. We were able to allay some fears.”

A WASC delegation is scheduled to visit the school in October as a “gesture of good faith,” said Lunt, to consult on the steps needed to win back accreditation. That will be followed in March by an official review.

WASC will then meet in April, and if the commission decides the high school has made sufficient progress, accreditation would be restored retroactively — although, said Lunt, the school could effectively be on probation for up to three years, depending on the progress it makes.

A positive decision would mean this year’s crop of seniors would be able to graduate from King City High School with valid diplomas and go on to college.

Such an outcome seemed to be anticipated by WASC officials. In an e-mail to the district, WASC Executive Director David Brown acknowledged that school officials recognized the need “to establish a clear action plan designed to promptly mitigate” the issues that led to the denial of accreditation.

“It is therefore anticipated,” he wrote, “that the temporary lapse in the schools accreditation status will be resolved in the 2007-2008 school year, thus avoiding any difficulties for graduating King City High School students in accessing college and universities.”

An almost entirely new administration will attempt to shepherd the high school through the process. Lunt came on board July 1. A new superintendent, Tom Michaelson, starts July 30.

The board of trustees will hold another meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium at 720 Broadway St.

Lunt said the meeting would help set the course for “researching questions and finding concise, clear answers” to the problems. “We want to invite as many people as we can.”

Lunt, who lives in Paso Robles, said he is moving his family to King City in two weeks.

“I wouldn’t do that if I thought we would fail,” he said.

Said board member Ron Riehl about Thursday’s meeting: “It will be interesting to see. We’ll get a heck of a good response.”

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Monterey County Herald, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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