Correct procedure followed - board

Joy Clark
Joy Clark
Bathgate Park School establishing board of trustees chairwoman Joy Clark is adamant the board has followed correct procedure in its appointment of the school principal, despite complaints from former board members.

In a brief statement, Mrs Clark said the school board formed by the merger of Forbury School and Macandrew Intermediate School followed New Zealand School Trustees Association guidelines when appointing the principal.

She said letters of complaint about the process were tabled at the board meeting on Monday night and due process would be followed.

Mrs Clark declined to comment further.

Educator Pat Hoffman and Forbury School board of trustees member Jill Haszard handed in their resignations from the establishment board earlier this month when it was announced Macandrew Intermediate principal Whetu Cormick had been appointed principal of the new Bathgate Park School.

Mrs Hoffman said she resigned because previously agreed procedures and timeframes, which were clearly set out, were not followed during the appointments process.

"Therefore, the process was flawed and, accordingly, [the appointment] should be invalid," she said.

Mrs Haszard also resigned because of concerns about the principal appointment process, which she believed was not "robust" and was not conducted in a "fair and balanced" manner.

She has laid official complaints with the board, the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Anne Tolley.

The board's decision was not popular with parents and staff at Forbury School, who also raised concerns about the appointment process during a fiery meeting at Forbury School on November 2.

Neither Mrs Haszard nor Mrs Hoffman has been replaced on the board.

The board is allowed to continue with only three members until a new board is established next March.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

 

 

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