Wednesday's shock removal of Wakatipu High School principal Lyn Cooper could also result in a reshuffle for the school's senior management.
Christchurch employment lawyer Peter MacDonald, who was sent to the school by the Educational Review Office (ERO), removed the principal of three and a-half years from her position on Wednesday.
Mr MacDonald said he would return to the school early next week to talk with the remaining senior management , meet parents and "put ... his perspective" on the events of the past month.
He has sent a "reorganisational proposal" to staff and the board of trustees and will next week look at changing the structure of the senior management team.
"Certainly, there will be some change in the organisational structure."
He said there would be a "selection committee" made up of current staff, members of the board and himself to select the new principal but would like to see two external members elected for the committee to encourage "unbiased" selection of the new school leader.
When asked if all staffing issues had been resolved after Wednesday's departure of Mrs Cooper, he said ERO had shown "clear divisions right across senior management structure".
"Senior management certainly hasn't been working cohesively."
He said while it was likely there would be some reorganisation among staff, there should be no job losses.
"The communication of the principal and staff simply hasn't functioned and it had run a risk of becoming dysfunctional.
"There is no question staff had huge respect for their principal, but it's quite clear to me the consensus among the majority of staff is, it is time for a fresh start."
Although school board of trustees head of communications Greg Turner said the board had "sat on the sidelines" over the issue, Mr MacDonald said the board had been "overwhelmingly on board with the decision made."
Deputy principal Grant Adolph, who will be acting principal in the interim, said the school's job now was "to continue in the short term and stabilise the students".
Mrs Cooper's sudden departure "took everyone by surprise and we have been treating it as a traumatic incident".
The board would advertise both at home and abroad for a replacement.
"Everybody was surprised with the sudden announcement. Lyn did meet and speak with the staff," Mr Adolph said.
Mrs Cooper's departure was announced in a letter read by each teacher to pupils. The letter was also emailed to parents and caregivers.
The letter said the school had been "informed by our statutory manager that today would be Ms Cooper's last day as principal".
Mr Adolph would not rule out a formal farewell for the principal of over three years.
"I'm assuming that Lyn will be remaining in the community and being a big part of it."
Mrs Cooper could not be contacted yesterday.
