To the Editor:
Further lack of transparency has reared its ugly head with regard to the demotion of the principal of the Weyburn Comprehensive School, Wade Oberg.
Please find below a copy of a letter received from Audrey Trombley, chair of the Southeast Cornerstone School Division, regarding a request for a hearing at the board level by a group of taxpayers and parents.
In spite of efforts to present information and possible resolutions, the board continues to hide behind certain parts of the Education Act in fear of showing bias by accepting new, pertinent information.
It is my opinion that the bias was already shown when the board accepted the recommendation of education director Lynn Little before the person most affected had any opportunity to give his side of the story to the board prior to the decision being made.
How sad that an elected body can, without complete knowledge of the situation, come to a decision which has literally destroyed the reputation of a teacher with an impeccable record of employment over 27 years.
Our intent has always been to bring clarity to the situation and to ask that the board consider that the “punishment should fit the crime”, a penalty which affects a family, a staff and 900-plus students, versus a volleyball team of 10 students and a coach.
We do not feel that we are being unreasonable by asking for reconsideration of the decision and by providing a possible resolution such that all sides of the story can feel satisfied that justice and fairness has been served.
Rick Wanner, Weyburn.
(The following is the letter referred to, from board chair Audrey Trombley, rejecting a request by Wanner to appear before the board of trustees:)
“Thank you for the letter with regard to your application to appear as a delegation at a meeting with the board, to discuss the demotion of the principal of the Weyburn Comprehensive School.
“We have carefully reviewed your request and have determined that it would not be appropriate for you to appear as a delegation. The matters you put forward relate directly to human resources and personnel issues.
“These matters must be handled in accordance with the appropriate collective agreements, legislation including the Education Act 1995, and due process principles imposed by the law.
“The board must not put itself in a position of being accused of bias by accepting information from a delegation. Furthermore, in this particular case, these same allegations are currently the subject of an ongoing complaint before the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board.
“If your delegation wishes to meet with the board of education on any issue that is not related to personnel, the board would welcome your presence.
Audrey Trombley, board chair
Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division”
