Concerns have been eased for parents of Wakatipu High School pupils just one week after the school principal was removed, according to the employment lawyer responsible.
Peter MacDonald, employed by the Educational Review Office (ERO) to deal with issues between former principal Lyn Cooper and senior staff, said there was some "real concern" from more than 80 parents who attended a meeting at the school on Monday night.
Unease over Mrs Cooper's abrupt removal had been raised at the meeting, but most had left satisfied Mr MacDonald and the board had taken the right actions under the circumstances he said.
The meeting with board of trustees members and parents "had provided clarification for all".
"It was absolutely excellent meeting, in the context of it all. People appreciated having the situation clarified from my perspective. There was some robust discussion and varying views.""Some parents questioned the process and some elements of it," he said.
When the two-hour meeting finished there was "resounding clapping" from parents towards the board and he felt people were moving forward from the malfunctions of the past month.
Mr MacDonald said the key concern for parents was the school would not be able to maintain the high level of achievement to date because of these issues.
He said they were looking for reassurance this could be upheld.
The next principal, who would most likely be appointed at the year's end and could begin work "probably in term two" next year, would be hired to continue these standards of the school.
Mr MacDonald will return to the school for the next board meeting in two weeks, his 13th visit since he was employed by ERO, he said.
He wanted to put to rest rumours Mrs Cooper had being struck off the teachers' register, saying the suggestion was "utterly absurd".
He said the speed of Mrs Cooper's departure was purely because that was when she wanted to go.
