19th September 2014
Mr. Stanley Reid
Deputy Governor
Governor’s House
Old Ta
Anguilla
Dear Mr. Reid,
The parents of the students at the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School, as well as other members of the West End community, write to you with great discontent with the way in which preparations were made for opening of this school year, especially as it relates to Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School.
Many of us were extremely upset that at the opening of the school term, the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School did not have a principal. Instead, it was the deputy principal, Tricia Richardson, who prepared the school for opening and welcomed back both teachers and students from the summer vacation. Nevertheless, we are thankful that a principal was selected and assigned despite being at a later date.
We were further troubled the evening of Friday 12th September 2014 to learn that on that very day our deputy principal was informed that she was being transferred to the Orelia Kelly Primary School and expected to report there the following Monday. We note that this was already two weeks into the school term and further note that no prior notice was given to the deputy principal. We find this to be rather unfair to her, the parents and the grade one students, whom we know had already bonded with her as their teacher. As a result, many of us, the parents and the members of the community of West End, gathered at the school on Monday to protest against the transfer of our deputy principal.
The Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Rhonda Connor, visited the school on Monday morning to address the concerns of many irate parents. It was only at that meeting that further matters were revealed which only heightened the parents concerns. Based on the discussions, it appears as though there is a grave lack of interest for the students of Anguilla by persons in authority.
Process for filling vacant positions
First, the Chief Education Officer explained that the Education Department is not responsible for the hiring or firing of teachers. She further explained that it involves a process which includes you as Deputy Governor, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the PSC board members. To our distress, we were informed that the process to ensure all schools were ready for opening in September 2014 actually began in April 2014. Positions such as principal and deputy principal were advertised and applications received. We were further informed that Tr. Ornette, the former principal of the school, tendered her resignation from as early as June 2014. Upon learning this new information, the parents grew even more furious as we can see no possible reason why a replacement principal for West End was not made prior to the beginning of the school year if the selection process began from April. This certainly suggests that Alwyn A. Ricahrdson primary, and perhaps other schools were indeed neglected.
Additionally, we were informed that some of the teachers who were transferred knew from as early as July 2014 that there were being transferred and which school they were assigned to. They had an opportunity to prepare and bid farewell to their old students, parents and colleagues.
On the other hand, our deputy principal who has been with us for 5 years was advised of her transfer at the end of school on Friday 12th September 2014 – two weeks into the school term. She did not have an opportunity to say goodbye to her students or even to explain to the parents that a change was taking place. We find this to be rather disrespectful and distasteful and no teacher should have to be subjected to such treatment. We would hate to think that this was a result of favouritism of some sort. Perhaps, as the Chief Education Officer stated, it was a result of the hiring process being completed on 10th September 2014 DESPITE beginning 1st April 2014. We continue to be unable to understand why the process would take over 5 months.
We have had an opportunity to read the article written by the Chief Education Officer in the Anguillian Newspaper for Friday 19th September 2014. While we applaud the parents of Island Harbour for also demonstrating their distaste to the actions taken by the Education Department, we cannot applaud the Department for it’s the Department’s actions which have caused such uproar on the island.
At the meeting on Monday, we asked the Chief Education Officer to convey our concerns and request, on our behalf, that our deputy principal be returned to the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School. Before leaving, Mrs. Connor explained that there are 3 possible options:
1. Deployment of the newly appointed deputy principal who is also a grade 6 teacher at Alwyn A. Richardson primary;
2. Delay of the appointment of the newly appointed deputy principal;
3. Deployment of senior deputy principal and the hiring of a new grade one teacher and reading recovery teacher.
Deployment of newly appointed deputy principal
Mrs. Connor explained that on 10th September 2014, the grade 6 teacher at Alwyn A. Richardson Primary was appointed deputy principal and as a result, the school had 2 deputy principals. She further explained that the initial plan was to deploy the newly appointed deputy and assign a grade 6 teacher to replace her. In fact, a grade 6 teacher was already identified and arrangements were already made for the swap. We have since learnt that this was the move that affected the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School.
We then learnt that Orelia Kelly Primary was also in need of a deputy principal but the Department made the decision to return the newly appointed deputy to Alwyn A. Richardson and transfer the senior deputy instead. However, this decision puzzles us. We cannot understand how a decision was made to remove the deputy principal who also had the roles of grade one teacher AND reading recovery teacher as opposed to a deputy principal with the role of teacher. One would have thought it easier to fill 1 position (which position was already arranged for) and not 2!
Mrs. Connor claims that the Department’s decision to reinstate the newly appointed deputy to Alwyn A. Richardson was based on concerns expressed by parents of grade 6. Yet, we the parents of the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School, from kindergarten to grade 6, have not heard of or attended a parent teacher’s meeting to discuss any transfers of any teachers from the school. In that case, Mrs. Connor was misinformed.
Delay of the appointment of the newly appointed deputy
While the delay of the appointment of the newly appointed deputy was suggested, we are of the view that this would have to be a decision made by the newly appointed deputy herself as it would be unfair to strip her of an appointment rightly deserved. However, if it is that the appointment is delayed, there would not be an issue of 2 deputy principals being at the same school. On the other hand, if the appointment is not delayed, then we firmly believe that the newly appointed deputy should be the one to be transferred as opposed to the senior deputy.
Deployment of senior deputy
The senior deputy of the school was not only deputy but also the grade one teacher AND reading recovery teacher. She is resident in West End and has worked with the school for 5 years. She knows every student of the school as well as many members of the West End community. The school is now without a grade 1 teacher, without a reading recovery teacher and one of its most senior teachers. We find it extremely impractical to now hunt for a replacement for 2 positions when this one teacher was capable of and was in fact performing both. Needless to say, there is no telling when any replacements will be found. Grade one is a crucial stage of any child as this is where the foundation for a good education is laid. Key concepts are to be learnt at that stage to enable them to grasp their studies going forward. It is highly unacceptable to have our grade one students subject to a new SUBSTITUTE teacher every few weeks. Please understand that we are not against the transfer of teachers as we know that at times it is necessary. However, we strongly disagree with a transfer when there is no succession plan in place.
On Monday evening, the Chief Education Officer advised that there is to be a joint meeting on Friday 19th September 2014 to further discuss the transfers and decide the best way forward. We urge you to consider our request and to think of the overall benefit to the school. Some of our teachers were prepared to have a sit-in until the transfer of our senior deputy was reconsidered. However, considering the type of individual our senior deputy is, she would rather they continue to teach and work with the children through this difficult time than to neglect them in any way. The parents, on the other hand, while we respect our senior deputy highly, are not willing to accept her transfer lightly. We again urge you to reconsider the transfers and trust that commonsense prevails.
Yours respectfully,
Concerned parents and
West End community members
cc: Hon. Jerome Roberts – Minister of Education
Chanelle Petty-Barrett – Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education
Mrs. Rhonda Connor – Chief Education Officer
The Press – Upbeat Radio, Radio Anguilla,
Klass FM, The Anguillian Newspaper
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
