SUSPENSION OF TEACHER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21399, 15 February 1935, Page 12

SUSPENSION OF TEACHER

-—* ■ ASHBURTON TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL FURTHER DISCUSSION BY BOARD The suspension of Mr R. J. Thompson, headmaster of the Ashburton Technical High School, and his subsequent reinstatement by the Teachers' Court of Appeal, were discussed at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the school last evening. A motion was carried that the records of the court's decision be placed on the board's minutes, but a further motion that the board apologise to Mr Thompson for its action in suspending him was lost. Mr A. L. Jones presided. In accordance with notice given at the last meeting of the board in December, Mr H. Watts moved: "That in view of the records about the suspension of the principal, the decision of the Court of Appeal to the effect that he was wrongfully dismissed be inserted in the minutes." Before moving his first notice of motion, Mr H. Watts asked if the board had receive advice from the Appeal Court about its decision on the suspension of the principal Mr Thompson. % The chairman said he had received an official communication stating the case and the result, which had been published. Mr Watts said that this was the property of the board; members should not have to rely on the papers for their information. The decision of the court should also appear in the minutes. He moved to this effect, and the chairman, in seconding the motion, said it was only fair to the members and the principal that the finding should be recorded in the minutes. The motion was carried. Mr L. A. Charles said he wished to move an amendment as the wording of Mr Watt's motion did not appeal to him. The word "dismissed" was used; the principal was not dismissed but suspended. The principal explained that the use of the v/ord "dismissed" was a typist's error and should have been "suspended." Mr Charles moved that the words after "that" be deleted, "and the following .substituted—"The full text of the decision of the teacher's court of appeal and . its accompanying memoranada relating to the appeal of. Mr Thompson against his suspension be recorded in the minutes." The amendment was seconded by Mr Buchanan and carried. Mr Wait!, then moved:—"That the chairman or one of the other members active in the sorry business move that an apology be sent to the principal for the undeserved stain cast on his work by the publicity given to the illegal act of the board in suspending him." The motion was seconded by Mrs H. Tinker. Dr. Connor expressed the opinion that the wording of the motion was out of order, as the board had no right to ?sk the chairman or any member to propose the motion. The chairman: We must deal with the motion as it has been put in. Mr Buchanan said that the magistrate had stated that he had been indiscreet. If Mr Thompson had been enlrely free the costs would not have been divided equally between the board and the principal. Mr Jones said it was unfortunate that Mr Watts was not on the board at the time of the suspension. He said that the board had acted according to its reading of the legislation, and had acted with the best intentions He felt it was best that they should drop the matter. The magistrate did not say that the board was wrong, but that it had wrongly interpreted the act. Mr Watts said he was not concerned about the opposition of members. A number of parents of children attending the school supported him. At this stage Mr Watts agreed to withdraw the motion. The board then went on to deal With new business, and Mr Watts moved that the board tender an apology lo Mr Thompson for wrongful suspension. Mrs Tinker seconded the motion, and on a vote being taken the motion was lost by three votes to seven.