On Thursday a mass sickout by teachers forced the closure of Sadie Vernon High School. And while classes returned to normal yesterday – things aren’t back in order. The teachers are still at odds with the board of managers and principal. And that’s why late into this evening – the Ministry of Education is holding two separate meetings on the campus – one is with the teachers and the other is with the school’s board and it’s principal. That again is because both sides refuse to sit at the same negotiating table. Deputy Chief Education Officer Carol Babb told us she is comfortable that something will be worked out in the best interest of Sadie Vernon’s 250 students.
Carol Babb, Deputy Chief Education Officer
“Teachers are reporting to school every single day.”
Keith Swift,
But have you determined what happened on Thursday when only three of them showed up?
Carol Babb,
“No we haven’t determined that yet. That is why we are here to investigate what happened on Thursday. But we want to assure parents that they should send their children to school and all staff members are here.”
Keith Swift,
So right now you are meeting with both staff members and the principal and the board.
Carol Babb,
“We are having two different meetings going on, one with the board and one with the staff and we’re trying to find out what is going on.”
Keith Swift,
Why can’t they meet in one room?
Carol Babb,
“Well they can but we will do that later on. We want to get the information from both sides and then we will compile the information and share it.”
Keith Swift,
What we heard is that they are at war, the teachers on one side and the school’s board and the principal on another side.
Carol Babb,
“I really don’t want to comment on that right now because we are going to do an investigation and I don’t want to prejudice that investigation.”
Keith Swift,
When do you think this will be resolved?
Carol Babb,
“I believe that by next week we will know exactly what went on.”
Keith Swift,
And until then, again, for parents, classes will continue as normal?
Carol Babb,
“Classes will continue. The staff will be here, they promise to come everyday and to cooperate so parents feel assured that you can send your children to school.”
We’ll tell you what was the result of that meeting in tomorrow’s newscast.
