Parents ‘out of the loop’ after principal delay

Parents are becoming increasingly concerned because they have not been told who will take over as principal next year at Northlands Primary School.

The Department of Education initially told the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association it would know the identity of the principal who will replace Stanfield Smith last month.

But the term ends today and parents are still no closer to knowing who will be in charge of the Pembroke school in September.

Parents told the Bermuda Sun they were very sad to see Mr Smith retire, and upset they still did not know who would take over from him.

One father, who asked not to be named, said: “My two children have done so well under Mr Smith’s leadership and we really wanted him to continue despite the fact he has to retire.

“They have gone from strength to strength at the school and we are worried that we still do not know who will be in charge next September.

“We wanted to know before the end of term but that does not seem like it is happening now, which is disappointing.

“We believe the parents should have been told who the new head was going to be a long time ago.

“And we are concerned about getting someone who is conflicted.

“We feel we have been left out of the loop.”

While a second parent added: “We were initially told we would know who the new head would be in May.

“Now we have moved into June and we still don’t know and it’s the end of term tomorrow.

“It would have been nice if the new head teacher could have had a chance to come into school before the end of team and meet the pupils.

“But I guess that is not going to happen now.

Anxious

“I think a lot of parents are anxious to know who we will get and very sad to see Mr Smith leave.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said Mr Smith’s replacement would be announced soon.

The spokesperson added:  “The appointment of principals are civil service appointments.

“They are proposed by the Ministry, recommended by the Public Service Commission and approved by the Governor.

“Once that process has been completed, an announcement will be made.

“As it relates to this particular matter, the process has gone in the correct manner and the Ministry anticipates being able to make an announcement soon.”