OXFORD – SAD 17 was freed from any monetary responsibility to the state for a winter rescue of students but was told poor decisions were made concerning the hiking trip.

In a letter to Superintendent Mark Eastman, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland D. Martin stated that $3,632 was expended by the Warden Service on the Dec. 7-8 search for nine students and two instructors from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in western Oxford County.

Eight of the students attend OHCHS and were led by Wilderness Leadership teacher Anne Speth and English teacher Jeff Norton. One of the girls was Norton’s niece.

They had been on an overnight camping trip in the White Mountains when the worst winter snowstorm in decades struck.

They were supposed to be out on Sunday afternoon and when that deadline passed the Warden Service was notified.

“I find that persons having oversight of this school-sponsored event made poor decisions in their assessment of the weather for the weekend,” Martin said in his letter. “The reports from the National Weather Service released prior to the departure of the trip warned of the uncertainty and magnitude of the storm.

“As the forecasts deteriorated, persons in charge had a second chance on Saturday morning to change their plans, and again chose not to,” he said.

Martin said he expected that a protocol be created so hiking or camping activities could be stopped before rescue service might be needed.

He also said his department is currently reviewing when school groups and other outdoor learning programs would require the presence of a licensed guide.

“A review of our records indicate that neither Anne Speth nor Jeff Norton were licensed guides,” Martin said. “I hope this event will be used as a learning experience and your staff will recognize that the foundation of a well planned trip is not just having all the best equipment, but making good decisions using all available information.”

Eastman responded to the letter by saying additional protocols will be in place for future trips, including the use of satellite phones.

Eastman also defended the leaders of the trip’s decision saying that two weather forecasts consulted did not predict the intensity of the storm.

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