SCHOOL DISPUTE

Grey River Argus, 21 August 1934, Page 3

SCHOOL DISPUTE

PRINCIPAL SUSPENDED Ashburton Case (Per Press Association.) ASHBURTON, August 20. “Lliat the principal (R. J*. Trompson) be suspended for a period of oen month for wilful disobedience of ordotis of the Board and the Chairman the suspension to cease if within that period he inserts in the “Guardian” n letter approved by the Board, was a motion carried I.v the Technical High School Board, at a special meetiiig on Saturday evening, I lie* action arose in connection \\ i a I lie question of the ama iga mat ion of the High and Technical Schools Th-., charges against the principal were that while matters -were still under < onsideration of the Boards concerned, he wrote letters to the newspaper dealing with the matters 'raised at a conference between the Ashburton llibh School Board, and Ashburton Technical High School Board, and that the letter contained expressions that were distinct reflections on the members of the Technical High School Board. Mr Thompson declined the Board’s request that he insert a letter t\> the ell’Oct that he did not have anv intention of casting reflection on lie' members of the Board. He maintained that as principal he could take su"h steps as he thought tit to combat the a ma Igamati'on.' Mr Thompson wrote complaints against the Chairman, Mr A. L. Jones which the Board dismissed as not siibstant iat ed. At. the close of the meeting, the following statement was issued by the chairman (Mr A. L. .Junes), and Mr L. A. Charles:— ‘‘The Board considered the following complaints against the principal ■Mr R. J. Thompson):— “(1) That while matters were slid under consideration by the Board' concerned, he wi».>t<» letters to the Ashburton ‘‘Guardian’’ dealing with matters raised at the conference be tween the Ashburton High Scho«>| Board and the Ashburton Technical High School Board. “(2) That the letters c-.intainel expressions that were distinct refle-‘ lions on members of ’ flu* 'l’eehuica High School Board.

“(3) The second letle»r- was inserted after the chairman had writ len to Mr 'l’hompson requesting him l.» refrain from further correspond- , ( nee -while the matter' was still und-.o- ] (■onsideration. and after the chairman had, the following morning, instructed him that he must not enter into further correspondence. ’ ’ Charges of overstepping the bounds (•I his oilier were made by the p.’in<ipal (Mr R. J. Thompson) against the chairman of the school board of managers (Mr L. A.. Jones). Mr Thompson asked for the protection «'f the board io matter. He stated that the present position of affairs was putting an unnecessary stra’i'upon him, preventing him from doing justice to his position, and impairing bis effleieney us principal of th° s< hool. Mr 'Thompson alleged thai Mr Jon? 0 had formed a habit of walking through lh(‘ rooms and round ’.he grounds, without any attempt to see him. and that he had once told i ,! ‘ structot’s what sort of dress they had to wear at a breaking-up function. Often, said Mr Thompson, Mr Jones went into the office and asked the minute and account books w-tn out. his (Mr Thompson’s) knowledge, and al other times Mr Jones had unjust ifiab'.y accused Mr 'Thompson ol giving falsi* information. Hardly a week passed, Mr 'Thompson said, without Mr Jones informing him that lie. was the chairman of the board, and that his wishes were the board s -wishes. Mr Thompson asked: —(1) That the decisions of the board be conveyed through him. as its serve.ary; (2) that the chawman be requested to put forward his personal opinions and re<piests as those of the board; (3) that as a matter oi courtesy., the chairman obtain the neces-

sary school info’- ation through him as secretary; (4^that all necessary typing of the board’s business b p done in "the board’s office; (5) that the chairman bo requested not to make public matters that are to be (• onsidered by the board; (6) that the chairman put the public, right concerning the finances of the school. Mr L. A. Charles said the chairman was quite entitled to discuss with members before meetings matters that were to be considered at the meeting. Mr A- Brown asked why tlm complaints, some of which were two years old, were not brought up before, and Mr Thompson replied that it was always hoped that they would smooth over. Mi- Jones said thftt he had never interfered with the internal running .. the school, and he haa un recollection of ever having gone through the school .without seeing Mr Thompson. lie had not on any occasion asked to see accounts which would come before a meeting of the board. To say that he dominated the staff v. as ludicrous and- puerile. The board had a full knowledge of everything hi' had done, and he had no thought of doing anything beyond the wishos of the board. Mr C. H. F. Maynard said the charges were trivial and purely presumption on the part of the principal. He moved that jt be agreed that the, charges made against the chairman had not been substantiated. Mr E. Buchanan seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Buchanan moved: “That the principal of this school trefrain from i taking any part, except as returning officer, in connection with the futuie ejection of board members.’’ Mr Maynard seconded the motion, which was carried.