Protocol for removing a primary school principal

vorbis

Basically I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are grounds or a protocol for removing a principal on grounds of bullying. A relative of mine spent over 15 years getting bullied by the school principal before she decided to take a career break to clear the head. Now she understandably doesn't want to go back but still needs to pay the bills. She has tried applying for other jobs but gets the sense that she is too old (in her fifties) to get them.

What I'm wondering is if there is a short and direct way to have the board of managerment force the principal to say retire early? Judging by what she has said, the principal has been responsible for cultivating a culture of fear in the school and of widespread bullying. I was suggesting to her to get as many of the teachers as possible to write to the Board of Managerment to demand a change of principal.

It appears that through the official bullying procedure, even if the principal is found guilty, all that happens is that she is sent on a course! Any one have any info on this? Thanks in advance

MrPudding

Could she see a solicitor and have a go at constructive dismissal? It may be possible to argue that the career break was needed as a result of the bullying. Not as definitive as leaving a job completely but might work.

MrP

Paddyo

The INTO have grievance procedures for this type of thing. These should be followed.

Figment

Bullying by principals is all too common Unfortunitly. My wife has worked in a few schools and they were rife with it. Often times the Principal is on the Board of Management which makes any fair hearing impossible.

Similar story to your relative was in the paper of the weekend. No clear answer was given

vorbis

Paddyo wrote:

The INTO have grievance procedures for this type of thing. These should be followed.

Without going into detail, she is following these but tbh they're ****e and a complete waste of time. The principal was found guilty of bullying before and all that happened was that she was sent on a course! You can imagine that if you have been bullied by someone for that length of time, you probably wouldn't be able to rebuild the working relationship. Paddyo do you know if there are protocols for directly removing a principal on grounds of gross mismanagment, bullying, etc. (you get the picture)

Figment

To be honest the only way something will get done is a lawsuit.

Paddyo

Vorbis

As far as I know, there is no direct protocol of removing a principal teacher. If you compalin directly to the department, they will tell you to first try and resolve the problem locally.

Link to procedure.
http://www.into.ie/ROI/LegalAndIndustrialRelations/StaffRelations/AdultBullying/


You said that she is following the INTO procedures. What stage is she at.

vorbis

I'm not sure of the exact details, I think she is at stage 3. I noted on that site that the bom could decide to dismiss the bully if there was sufficient grounds for it. Dooes anyone know if that has ever actually happened?

She is exploring the legal route as well. However, all these things seem to drag on interminably. Some procedure that could bring it all to a head would be useful but that doesn't seem to exist.

Paddyo

Obviously she should deal directly with the chairperson of the BOM. If the chairperson is worth anything they should be able to handle the situation. Not sure the the chairperson is Male/Female - just going to presume Male if thats ok. He should begin his own objective investigation, interviewing all of the relevant people and at the end of the process make a determenation as to if there is bullying or not. If it is as clear cut as you say then he can only make one determenation.

If he can resolve the issue between the two people then that will be end of it. It not he will have to bring it to the BOM, without the participation of the principal. It is at this stage that the principal can be reprimanded/dismissed.

If she is unhappy with the decision, she should then go to the department.

Having solicitors in the background is a good idea. Let the chairperson know( in a nice way) that the solicitors are on standby if there is no satisfactory resolution. This will helpt to concentrate minds as BOMs do not want the expense or hassle of dealing with legal eagles.

Is anyone else being bullied by the principal. If so, see if they will make a complaint also.

Paddyo

vorbis

there are two others that she knows of that are being bullied. I was thinking that all right about maybe a joint complaint having more weight.

Most of the teachers in there just keep their head down for fear getting picked on by the principal. Just regarding a previous question, Paddyo, do you know of cases where the BOM actually sacked the principal. Judging by the procedings so far, they seem unsackable.

Paddyo

No Vorbis, I dont know of any principals being sacked but there is always a first time.

ArthurDent

Paddyo wrote:

No Vorbis, I dont know of any principals being sacked but there is always a first time.

Well here was one that was - for a very different reason, but sacked none the less

http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2002/04/18/story46893.asp

WhiteWashMan

unless there is a school teacher here or a principle, then im not sure we can give an accurate answer to this question.

personally, i would have thought that there must be some way within the schooling system for a teacher to go outside of the school board and into the system to make complaints etc.

ArthurDent

The newly announced teaching council will has the following power

"to conduct inquiries and impose sanctions in relation to a teacher’s fitness to teach"

http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/tc_what_will_the_teaching_council_do.doc

Contact Information:

The Teaching Council,
Teacher Education Section,
Block 2, Floor 1,
Department of Education and Science,
Marlborough Street,
Dublin 1.

Tel: 01 889 6705
Fax: 01 889 6526
Email: teachingcouncil@education.gov.ie

to come into action 06