Heatley will not get a severance package

Soon-to-be former education commissioner Dr Edmond Heatley will leave the island without any form of financial settlement or severance package, according to the government.

Dr Heatley submitted his resignation last week, after a firestorm of criticism followed his decision to interview for a job in New Orleans.

Dr Heatley had assumed his current role last September, but will be resigning effective at the end of the month.

A government spokeswoman said: “The Ministry accepted Dr Heatley’s resignation effective April 30th. There is no ‘settlement’.”

Some here on the island had questioned his commitment to Bermuda after interest in an educational post in New Orleans; more than one pol had called for his resignation.

Dr Heatley, a former U.S. Marine, was among a handful of finalists for the New Orleans job, but withdrew his name from consideration last month in the midst of a political firestorm here in Bermuda. That move was apparently too little, too late.

Dr Heatley’s contract was set to expire in September 2016. Ross Webber, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education and Economic Development, announced the resignation at a press conference earlier this month. 

Mr Webber said Dr Heatley will work out a period of notice between now and April 30th while transitioning work duties to Dr Lou Matthews, who will assume the role of Acting Commissioner of Education “for the near future.

 “The last few weeks have been a challenging tie for all involved with the education portfolio,” said Mr Webber. “It is important that Dr Matthews and the entire team in the Department of Education get the backing and support of our education stakeholders, and the whole community, as we move forward.”