Mount Bachelor Academy
Prineville, OR

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Mount Bachelor Academy's
Executive Director Issues A Statement

Mount Bachelor Academy is deeply disappointed by the ruling of the Oregon Department of Human Services to temporarily cease all therapeutic, educational and residential services at the program.

We vigorously disagree with the state's findings. This surprising action, following seven months of cooperative work by Mount Bachelor with the state since the allegations surfaced, is not only erroneous but also creates an unnecessary burden of distress and disruption for our students and their families.

As a result, we are quickly and aggressively pursuing legal options, including the possibility of a Temporary Restraining Order request. A TRO would at the very least give our families additional time to make orderly and appropriate arrangements for any child in need of immediate therapeutic services.

In addition, we are analyzing the details of the state report, and will request a formal hearing to contest the suspension order.

For over 20 years, Mount Bachelor Academy has enjoyed a solid reputation as a quality, accredited therapeutic boarding school for teens with behavioral, emotional or motivational problems or special learning needs.

We remain proud of Mount Bachelor's record of life-changing, positive results for young people in our care, and confident in the professional conduct of our staff and leadership who have committed their careers to making a difference in the lives of young people and their families. Mount Bachelor has been recognized for comprehensive therapeutic best practices and safety protocols, and has independent verification of its success through participation in third-party outcome studies with oversight by the Western Institutional Review Board.

Throughout the state inquiry, we have been heartened by the overwhelming support from Mount Bachelor Academy alumni and current students and families. More than 100 individual letters and a letter with roughly 200 signatures were filed with the Oregon DHS in support of our school.

I too am a parent of a child who graduated from Mount Bachelor Academy. My son attended Mount Bachelor from 2000-2001. I can tell you unequivocally that I'm certain the experience there saved his life. My son like most of the students there, was failing to function successfully at home and school. Drug and alcohol abuse was the order of the day. We had exhausted all other forms of therapy, counseling, and rehab with little result.

Mount Bachelor was our last hope. I am grateful for the day I found this school, for if not I'm sure I would not be sharing life with him today. Presently my son is twenty six, healthy, happy, with a bright future ahead of him. I owe a lot of that to the emotional growth he experienced at Mount Bachelor. To close this school based on unfounded allegations by a few disgruntled and troubled kids is a travesty. I know many, many parents who share my same feelings. What a sad day!

Gregory M. Solich DDS
drgmsol@q.com

My heart goes out to Sharon Bitz and all the staff at MBA. As a parent of a student whose stay at MBA was cut short by the actions of Oregon DHS I can state categorically that the actions of DHS were inappropriate and harmful, harmful not only to the families , staff and the community of Prineville, but more importantly to the troubled teens in the program. DHS should be ashamed of the underhanded way in which they handled the investigations and release of information. On three occasions their communications came after hours, seemingly done in a manner that would produce the highest likelihood of misunderstanding and possible infractions by the staff at the school and also to create panic amongst the families. Our children are now scattered across the nation, breaking the bonds formed with each other and the relationships grounded in the love and care provided by the staff. This is an unmitigated tragedy for all.

Craig Washington
T. PG-77
Craig.D.Washington@l-3com.com