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January 11, 2011

Dr. Art Stellar, SuperintendentBurke County Schools700 E. Parker RoadMorganton, North Carolina 28680

Dear Dr. Stellar:

Enclosed please find the AdvancED Monitoring Teams report from the visit conducted December 6 -8,2010. This report summarizes the teams findings related to the Burke County Schools progress in meetingthe Required Actions outlined in the initial report from the Special Review Team visit August 2-4, 2009 andsubsequent visits held in December 2009 and May 2010.

The Monitoring Team conducted an exhaustive review of all documentation provided and conductedthorough interviews of stakeholders while on site. Based on the evidence provided, the Monitoring Teamfinds that while Burke County Schools has made some progress in meeting the Required Actions, it has failedto fully and substantially address the Required Actions, and therefore, the accreditation of the schools inBurke County will be dropped, effective, June 30, 2011. This decision is affirmed by the North Carolina

Council and the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.

The school district has the opportunity to fully address all of the Required Actions before the effective dateof loss of accreditation. Should Burke County Schools make the commitment to resolve the currentproblems and develop evidence, with supporting documentation, that is has fully addressed all of theRequired Actions, the district may avoid accreditation loss. Burke County Schools must request and host afollow-up visit before June 30, 2011 and be responsible for the expenses associated with this visit.

Alternatively, if accreditation is lost, the Burke County School District can seek reinstatement on behalf of theschools within its jurisdiction, prior to June 30, 2012. The Burke County Board of Education must make thecommitment to resolve the current problems, provide evidence that the school system is meeting all therequirements for accreditation, develop an effective systemic and sustainable process of continuous

improvement, and request and host a follow-up visit.

Please note that it is the responsibility of school system officials to share the contents of the report with theBoard of Education and the community.

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Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Monitoring Team report. The NorthCarolina SACS CASI office also is available to support your efforts.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Elgart, Ed.DPresident/CEO

cc: Donna James, Ed.D., AdvancED/SACS CASI North Carolina DirectorAnnette Bohling, AdvancED Chief Accreditation Officer