Yesterday, the board released to the Otago Daily Times an edited version of an issues report prepared at its request in June by Dunedin educational consultant Cleave Hay, along with a copy of the action it was taking on its recommendations.
The same information was sent to staff and pupils' parents.
Sections were edited out on legal advice because they named people, including staff and those interviewed for the report.
Board chairman Garry McLeod said publishing the names would have breached individuals' privacy rights.
In his overall conclusion, Mr Hay started with: ''In my professional opinion, Waitaki Boys' High School is certainly at a point of crisis and needs immediate and comprehensive commitment to rectifying a number of significant risks.
''The board of trustees ... must take the leadership role of alleviating the serious concerns outlined in this report.
''If these are left unattended, there is a very high likelihood of seriously negative effects in student achievement, student welfare, staff welfare, staff turnover plus health and safety complaints and personal grievances.
''The school's reputation and roll numbers are also seriously at risk.''
Mr McLeod said he and the board did not agree the school was at crisis point and was confident about its future.
He pointed to achievements by pupils at the school and recent Ministry of Education education counts which rated Waitaki's achievements highly.
However, the board had accepted all nine recommendations without amendment and was implementing those.
Over the past month, the board had been focusing on how to move things forward and, now that had been resolved, was releasing the report to the wider community.
A team of people with expertise in the education sector and respect within the local community would work with the board through each of the recommendations.
The Education Review Office would be at the school from Monday and would also be dealing with some of the recommendations.
''There are, of course, differing views within the school community around the validity or seriousness of some of the issues raised.
"However, the board is taking the recommendations very seriously and acting on them accordingly,'' Mr McLeod said.
Mr Hay was asked to investigate, form a view and, if necessary, make recommendations on the following issues. -
• Whether there was a culture of bullying at the school.
• Whether staff turnover was significant; whether there was an effect on pupils and staff.
• Whether staff felt unsupported and how it might be remedied.
• Whether information given to parents on funding boarding scholarships been accurate.
• Whether claims of criticism of relationships with other schools were valid.
Mr Hay also commented on other issues raised during his investigation but not included in the terms of reference.
To do that, Mr Hay travelled to Oamaru on four days and conducted 28 interviews, seven telephone conversations and communicated with others via emails.
That followed complaints to the Ministry of Education about administration and management of the school.
• More details from Mr Hay's report and further comment in Monday's Otago Daily Times.
Waitaki Boys' High School report highlighted issues:
• Staff turnover in the past 12-15 months deemed ''very significant''.
• Bullying prevalent between pupils.
• Staff harassed by pupils, who believed there would be little or no consequences.
• Two camps within the staff with allegations of intimidation, bullying and ganging up.
• Staff divided over whether there was support from management and the school structure.
• Pupil behaviour and welfare concerns.
• Parents' discontent affecting the school's reputation, with potential effect on pupil and boarding numbers.
• Criticism about relationships with other schools, including Oamaru Intermediate.
• Engagement and communication with parents and the community.
• A feeling the board of trustees was ''in the rector's pocket'' and could not be approached.
• Condition of school property and grounds.
• A growing drugs culture.
• A loss of reputation affecting pupil numbers.
• A lack of pastoral care provided for pupils and staff.
• Not an ''inclusive school'', particularly for high needs and vulnerable pupils.
