Ohakune shuns school principal

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 284, 25 April 1989, Page 1

Ohakune shuns school principal

Following a public meeting at Ohakune Primary School last week the school committee has put a formal complaint to the Wanganui Education Board about former Ohakune School principal Ross Richdale. The meeting, which a teacher's performance, has been described by resolved that the printhe Board as a "most cipal "should resign unusual" way to discuss from the school as

principal because of his perceived incompetence." Mr Richdale worked as principal at Ohakune Primary School until November 1987, when he left the school on sick leave. The Bulletin understands that after a period of twelve school weeks on sick leave Mr Richdale was seconded to relieve at other schools. He has since been a relieving teacher at schools in the Manawatu area while being paid a salary equal to the Ohakune School Principal position, with the Ohakune position held for him. Since 1987 attempts have been made to find him a transfer position

and he was given the opportunity to find an alternative position, but both proved fruitless Prior to the public meeting Mr Richdale had decided to return to Ohakune and take up his former position, which he was entitled to do. Ohakune School Committee reprfesentatives told the Bulletin last Friday there were

eight areas of complaint about Mr Richdale's performance at Ohakune School, but that they were not prepared to make them public. The complaints were to go to the Board, said the representatives. The Wanganui Education Board has said it will investigate the matter once it receives a formal complaint Turnpage 3

Principal shunned

From page 1 from the committee. The complaints were not about specific events but were general in nature, said the representatives. The School Committee told the Bulletin that Mr Richdale has been contacted and informed of the complaints from the committee and from some people in the community. A meeting is planned for Thursday

this week between the committee, the board and Mr Richdale" to discuss the matter. According to the School Committee, action by the committee has been on-going since before Mr Richdale left Ohakune. They say procedures began on 22 May 1987 with a lctter to the Board expressing concerns about their school. In June 1987 a meeting was held with* all parties present to discuss the situation. In October 1987 the Education Department called an investigation to look at the "current situation and offer help for the future" and in November a further meeting was held "at the Board's instigation", says the committee. Several meetings were held in 1988 to try to resolve the situation, according to the committee. Neither the Bulletin nor the Ohakune Primary School Committee have been able to confirm or deny rumours that Mr Richdale has since decided not to return to Ohakune. i|