A placard placed at the entrance to the Vauxhall High School, east Kingston, after an earlier protest by parents and students over the dismissal of Angela Chaplain as principal of the institution. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Education Minister Andrew Holness has recommended that the dispute over the firing of the Vauxhall High School principal Angela Chaplain be referred to the Appeals Tribunal.

The dismissal sparked a demonstration by students and teachers outside the school gate yesterday.

The island's two principals' associations also expressed concern over the sudden dismissal of Chaplain, saying the reasons given for the termination of her employment do not warrant such drastic action.

According to a letter addressed to Chaplain in December, after six years as headmistress, her service was terminated because of professional misconduct, failure to respond to a request by the school board about the school's roster in a timely manner, tardiness in carrying out the board's request to make appraisals available and failure to attend a personnel committee meeting, among other things.

"We want due process to take place. If there are other reasons, they should be investigated but these do not necessitate such action," Michael Stewart, immediate past president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Tribunal bound

The Gleaner understands that Chaplain was given the termination letter days before December 31, 2008, when the tenure of the board expired.

"I am recommending that the matter be taken to the tribunal," Holness told The Gleaner yesterday.

On Monday, he appointed a new board for the Winward Road-based Vauxhaul High School in Kingston.

The education minister said the leadership of principals was critical to the development of the school, adding that he was aware that there were instances when boards and principals do not agree on certain issues.

As a result, Holness said the Ministry of Education would be examining the relationship between boards and principals.

In the meantime, he has sought to assure principals that he would ensure that school boards act in accordance with the Education Code.

A joint release from Albert Corcho, the president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals of Secondary Schools, and Nadine Molloy, the president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, said the Education Act clearly outlines the procedure involved in the termination of an educator's service.

"With this in mind, we now await the details concerning the case. We must allow for due process," said the release from the presidents.