BUFFALO, NY - Canisius High School is making some changes in the wake of accusations of academic misconduct.
The school's board of trustees voted unanimously on Friday to implement a set of reforms that focuses on academic honesty and separating coaching and school leadership positions.
The review focused on the circumstances that led to the dismissal of former dean Beck O'Connor and the school's decision to not allow senior fullback and linebacker Brad Zaffram to play in any of Canisius High's post-season games.
According to a statement released by the school's administrators, an independent review of those events was conducted by attorney Terrence M. Connors and a team from the law firm of Connors & Vilardo LLP.
"We are impressed and convinced that the mission and standards of Canisius were and are being upheld," said Board of Trustees Chair Robert J. Reger Jr. "We believe the independent review revealed only episodic missteps, not systemic flaws."
Recommended reforms the board has or will endorse were listed as follows:
Coaches & Administrators
Canisius High School will move toward a structure that separates coaching and leadership positions. As a general rule, members of the school leadership and academic administration should not serve as coaches. The Canisius administration has been directed to establish appropriate guidelines, policies, and procedures consistent with this structure.
Admissions
A majority of the standing Admissions Committee should review all nontraditional applications (that is, freshman applicants following registration and all transfer applicants). Acceptance of non-traditional applicants will be based on the consensus decision of a minimum of five of the seven committee members. Those members must include the principal, assistant principal for academics, admissions director, and two otrher Admissions Committee members. The Office of Admissions will develop an examination or other objective criteria (such as standardized test scores, Regents exam scores, etc.) for determining the acceptance of transfer students.
Financial Aid
The school will continue to follow best practices regarding the awarding of financial aid. Specifically, financial aid decisions should be treated separately from admissions decisions and in a manner that counters any perception that financial aid awards favor any particular type of student, beyond demonstrated need.
Academic Honesty
The administrative decisions and protocol at the center of this independent review were in response to allegations of academic dishonesty, a matter of concern in all schools. The school must commit to more extensive student programming that reaffirms academic honesty as a core value and characteristic of Jesuit secondary education. The administration should also discern ways of continually improving the alignment of policies and practices with the goal of affirming academic honesty.
