Controversy has erupted at the Orion Academy and parents are expressing concern after the principal, Queen Thomas, was abruptly terminated by the Chairman of the school’s board.
Thomas, who served as principal since 2013, was issued a termination letter on Monday 20th March 2017, which took effect on Tuesday 21st March 2017.
The letter stated that an evaluation exercise was conducted on the performance of Thomas during her tenure at the school and based on the feedback from the evaluation exercise, the board had decided not to renew her contract for the school year September 2017.
The letter further stated that the board has decided to pay the sum of $4,000 which represents her salary in lieu of 4 months notice. Also other monies owed to Thomas will be quantified and the Board will later communicate with her how the monies owed will be settled.
Thomas said at a press conference on Tuesday said that decision made by the Chairman of the Board has breached her contract.
“It is indeed regrettable that at this point, in the middle of a term, a week before mock exams starts, I have been issued a dismissal letter which breached my contract,” she said. “My contract should have ended in August of 2017 and I was informed only last night [Monday night] that today is my last day at school.”
“It is difficult,” she added.
Thomas explained that a few weeks ago a teacher resigned because of behavioral issues that the school was faced with, “because his Ipad was allegedly stolen and hidden in the classroom and no one could be identified.”
She explained further that a few weeks later her personal cell phone was stolen from the same class, “and as a result, I called in the parents and I called in the police to investigate.”
“Only a week after those sorts of behaviors I am being given this dismissal letter,” she stated.
Thomas noted that investigations revealed that the Chairman’s son was allegedly the one involved in the matter.
She said she asked the Chairman to excuse himself from the board, so they could discuss the matter but he has refused.
“I requested a meeting with parents that has been denied. Sadly I have to do what is in my best interest,” she noted saying the action of the Chairman has opened up the school to “litigations” and “financial loss.”
She added the Chairman’s conduct is affecting the discipline at the Orion Academy.
“It affects the educational potential of all students. There is a negative impact on the school because of his actions and it’s just unfortunate that the school is now being placed in a situation like this,” Thomas said.
A number of parents also spoke at the press conference and has expressed concerns over the entire matter.
“It is regrettable the situation is not favorable at this juncture due to an unfortunate incident that occurred which led to terminated of the Principal, Miss Queen Thomas. We are happy with the presence of the media which will allow the situation to be reported…” one parent said.
She noted that in all such situations the welfare of the students is of most importance.
“This is so because soon students in 5th form will be sitting the CXC examinations, thus as a parent I believe whatever decision is taken, the students welfare must be given priority,” she said
Meantime another parent, Vincia Auguiste, said the Orion Academy, like other schools has its share of challenges including, “disciplinary problems with students.”
“The school in recent times has seen an increase in alleged criminal activity among students, including theft,” she noted. “Within the past week, a student of the school was held and questioned in relation to the alleged theft of the Principal’s cell phone. As you may know, the Orion Academy is a private school which operates under the directions of its Board of Directors. We hereby inform the parent body and the public that as a result of investigations by the police into an alleged theft by a student of the school, the Board by its Chairman has terminated the employment of the Principal Miss Queen Thomas without any arrangement for her replacement.”
Everyone keeps making the same mistake. “In lieu of ” simply put means “instead of”. In other words, Ms Thomas will be receiving $4000 instead of 4 months notice. She should have gotten 4 months notice but because she was terminated with immediate effect, they are compensating her for the lack of notice. It does not represent her salary. Based on the article, we don’t know what her salary was.
I’m not concerned with the salary, but whether she was terminated on just causes. I know that she performed her duties exemplary while she worked there.
I wish her well in the future.
no she did not
The chairman can fire someone. i thought the board did. anyway there are some people in society who do not follow rules. She should sue him not the school.
I’ve read this thing over and over, and cannot believe anybody, a board of directors would have the nerve to employ some, and pay them that peanut change, and titled them Principal of a School.
Mam, I think they have done you a favor when they fire you; you now have toe opportunity to do something better with your skills. All the idiots who like to attack me, go right ahead and build my gallous to hang me, when I suggest that lady should use her teaching skills to get into tutoring.
Everybody do not learn as fast, this might be a good opportunity to get into a tutoring business, I am sure if you can get the slow students interested, for a fee, you can make plenty more than they were paying you assuming you have fifty students, and you chard each one $25,00 dollars per month you will make $1,250.00 per month, two hundred fifty dollars more than they were paying you.
Combine that with a day care center for children parents who working you could perhaps make $5,000.00 plus,…
Is she the daughter of Felix Thomas? I am referring to the Felix Thomas from Kingshill; the one who claimed Chairmanship of DLP’s Roseau South Constituency Association.
yep thats her
People please read the article carefully before jumping conclusion. The teachers salary are much more than that so common why pay a principal that amount….read again and undertstand.
At CXC got a 4- in English and 5- in Maths but “The letter further stated that the board has decided to pay the sum of $4,000 which represents her salary in lieu of 4 months notice”. looking like 1,000.00 per month to me.
My lawyer just told me that 16,000.00 would mean 4,000.00 a month for 4 months. My maths teachers sent me a whatsapp saying my lawyer correct and my English teacher wife answered the phone and told me why am i calling her husband so late. so i will ask him tomorrow..
Open sesame NEP. i wonder wether the Shar of Iran has another spot for another ex. DNO I talking about the shar of Iran . If i wanted to i could have said the shar of Monfared but the Joe might say I imputing improper motives.
‘Booted’ ? Really ? Tip-top journalism here.
ADMIN:
Boot as a phrasal verb: to make someone leave a place, their job, or something that they are involved in
Doh worry with them Admin. They know EXACTLY what boot means.
It cannot be 4000 EC a month. She’s not a Minister
EC$4000.00 Queen, move on this is beneath you. You were volunteering your services to Orion.
You mean a minister getting 4000 a month? Where I be there nah?An temp wed sa la. Time you pick up a cart by Save a lot that done wi.
So, ministers only get 4000.00EC a month? Christ Almighty, people working for free. I make more money panhandling on de streets!
Too much stress for just a pittance…Another door will be opened for you young lady.!!Parents and Board members,lets say firmly to our children that STEALING is dishonest behaviour,and lets discourage all forms of theft/stealing.ITS BAD!
There is more to the story cause every story has two sides. IMaybe she was fired for reporting the incident to the police before contacting the school board.
My my, $1,000 for a Principal in 2017?, Papa met.
she got $40,000 a year along with great benfits. get the facts straight. the board is offering her a $1000 a month until the contract ends.
“The letter further stated that the board has decided to pay the sum of ($4,000 which represents her salary in lieu of 4 months notice.)
That is all you paying? My God, how much does an ordinary teacher make then. That is exploitation.You better off on NEP or become President.
U not too knowledgeable nuh. You understand the meaning of “in lieu”? Maybe you know what you talking about if so then the letter is stated incorrectly.
But if she is being paid $4000 in lieu of 4 months notice then her salary is $1000 per month.
In order for her salary to be $4000 per month the letter would have stated she is being paid $16000 in 4 months in lieu of 4 months notice.
And a termination of a contract is just what it is…a termination. The end! No coming back! So they cannot offer her a $1000 a month until her contract expires.
They terminate her contract prematurly…they have to pay her whatever she is due up to the end of her contract…unless if otherwise stated and agreeed upon by her contractual agreement….end of story.
As to if the dismissal was wrongful. That is for her and the lawyers and Orion to deal with.
They’re paying her $4000.00 instead of giving 4 months notice. It doesn’t represent her salary for 4 months.
I know, this is ridiculous. It must be US$1000. With Yahweh’s help she will get a better job!
EC$4000 in lieu of 4 months notice? That is all this principal was paid? Yikes!!!
Ladies count your blessing and go and plant dasheen. You will be much better off doing that. You will get a higher income plus you will get lots of fresh air and good exercise.
Zandoli, you too funny! What you said is true, though. My God! Maybe it’s a good thing that they fired her? Perhaps she will make more money planting dasheen for real. No wonder the one from TeteMorne Primary left the country.
Amen, plus you pay no tax and don’t have to deal with fussy parents with spoilt brats either.
My lady you were correct to get the police..This stealing thing is li« a cancer at some schools.
Not only the schools, but island wide. This is an indication that students have not had morals instilled in them at home. Too many young people have the attitude that they are entitled to other people’s property, if they want it. This is a very serious situation.
Queen you have a good heart so leave that alone before you help tarnish your reputation. This job is not worth you reputation because once it becomes political more tory that is unnecessary will jump out . Sometimes we all have to learnt to pick our fights. Just 4 months salary so don\’t loose your reputation over it. Head in the other direction.
Assertive like the rod of Moses !?
political? u talkin bout skerrit? lool
You have a case my dear. Hope they will be able to pay the fine for wrongful dismissal.
teach -> teaching
This is why the country is so backward and the children,have no respect.
It seems like you were there? you know de whole story man!
Good PR Miss Queen Thoman. LOL You got the readers right where you wanted them to be. Read above!!!That’s de story you hear??? LOL Speak to the teachers at de school.
You got that right.
When we covering up for our kids we think that we are doing the right thing for the but after. I say after time will tell.my Lady God is good.that ok you get a next job. Just pray for them.
Pure rubbish! That’s the next level for you.
Did she get fired because she called the police on the chairman’s son?
This is exactly why she got fired! 1 plus 1 is 2.
“The letter further stated that the board has decided to pay the sum of $4,000 which represents her salary in 4 months in lieu of notice. Also other monies owed to ”
Based on what we read in the quote this lady it seems is (was ) principal of a school is only paid one thousand ($1, 000.000 dollars per month, two hundred fifty dollars per week.
The people who fired her should be ashamed to let the world know that a principal of a school could be insulted in that way for all of these years. If she only made $250.00 per week, how much less are they paying her subordinates?
“Based on what we read in the quote this lady it seems is (was ) principal of a school is only paid one thousand ($1, 000.000 dollars per month, two hundred fifty dollars per week.”
Well, I did not mean ($1,000,000) million dollars okay!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha!
I boy talking about a thousand ($1,000.00) dollars per month!
Yeah, 1000.00 per month is pretty LOW payment for a head teacher.
The Chairman is lacking emotional intelligence. He seem to have acted recklessly. Best wishes to all.
Tory, tory! But is there really a link between the stolen phone and the termination of employment of the Principal? We heard nothing of the stolen Ipad and cell phone until the Principal was terminated. Why isn’t the Principal challenging the grounds on which she was fired? Why is she building her case only on a possible relationship between the incidents? She should be attacking the letter of termination, not what she thinks is the reason behind the termination.
Can you read.? She said she’s gonna do what’s in her best interest. She said the scool has opened itself to litigation and financial loss. That means she is gonna sue them. Clearly her contract was breached. She doesn’t seem like a lady who does not know what to do. I wish her success. High time the board of all companies do their job and not curry favor any individuals. Ps I know not who the principal is neither the chairman or board members.
Get a government job you will get more salary. It may be a blessing . $1000.00 for a PRINCIPAL LOL
I know Orion is not-for-profit but even so that does seem extremely modest.
That must be a mistake. Maybe $4000/month or US$1000? Cant be EC $1000 per month. No way.
“$4000 for 4 months.” from the reading at the press conference. I suspect it means $4000 per month for 4 months and probably wasn’t related very well in this story.
Read the story properly. She was being payed $4000.00 a month.
You misunderstood….. Read again…may very well be getting 4Gs monthly.
its actually $4000
well well well
So how many zandoli(es) are there on this board?
Ermm, Where is Orion Academy? I dunno I left a long time ago.
Who is the Chairman and who is his son?
yes we want to know, if not who the son is but the chairman
People remember that there are two sides to every story. We should wait to hear what the Board of Directors has to say before we jump to any conclusions. Termination of contracts cannot be done by just the Chairman, the entire board must vote on the matter. By the way the monthly is $4000 not $1000. Read the article carefully. She will be paid her full salary every month until the end of her contract.
ir ur bussines??
people. this is very sad. only the nagative gets noticed. when OA help a christmas party for the alpha centre that didnt get half as much buzz.