School board acted competently
A review clears trustees, reports Catley Edwards. An independent reviewer has found that a Taumarunui school board of trustees were ‘‘highly competent’’ in the way they handled the resignation of a teacher facing sex charges.
Some parents had criticised the Turaki School board of trustees for failing to inform the school community that David Ballantyne, 31, faced a charge of indecent assault at the time he resigned last November.
Ballantyne, who taught at Turaki School from July 2012, appeared in the Taumarunui District Court this month on four indecency charges.
Parents were also critical the trustees did not advise them of the circumstances surrounding Ballentyne’s resignation and for failing to call in a trauma incident team to Turaki School: Photo: Catley Edwards/Fairfax NZ support children and staff.
However, in a letter sent to parents this week, school principal Rikki Sheterline said the review confirmed the board ‘‘acted with propriety and effectiveness’’ within the constraints it faced.
‘‘The reviewer noted that it was difficult to know what else the board could have done but there were minor suggestions for (its) consideration,’’ Mr Sheterline said.
The board would look into these, he said.
The reviewer stated that based on his access to all the school’s notes, correspondence and records of action to date, the school was committed to good process, natural justice and student welfare. The consultant had also met the police during his investigation.
The report noted that all agencies – NZEI, the School Trustees Association and Ministry of Education – had fulfilled what had been asked of them.
Board of Trustees chairman Laal Bhullar declined to comment on the report or the letter, saying the trustees preferred not to talk through the media.
Mr Bhullar had earlier confirmed that a trauma incident team visited the school last week to talk with staff and pupils. Sources within the school said the visit was low key and did not uncover anything ‘‘undue’’ but they continued to remain on call if needed.
It is understood the school had received lots of positive comments and messages of support, including emails and cards, from parents and members of the community.
Gibeum Lee, left, with a fellow competitor during the first leg of the 4 Desert Race Series in the Sahara Desert, Egypt, in 2012.