Cracks appear to be forming in the establishing board of trustees at the proposed Otepoti South School following the resignation of board member and Calton Hill School board of trustees chairman George Sealy, who has cited concerns about the board's leadership and operations.
In a letter to Education Minister Anne Tolley, and the appointed board for the merger of Caversham, College Street and Calton Hill Schools, Mr Sealy said the board had been ruled by a fear of what might be misrepresented in the media, rather than a desire to show parents and staff the good work the board was trying to do.
"An effective gag order placed on the board members by the chairperson has left us unable to communicate with our communities.
"We are a public board and, as such, we serve our community. And yet our meeting times have not, until recently, been made available to the public, or even the staff of our schools.
"Our meeting minutes for over a dozen [some very long] meetings have never been officially ratified and distributed.
"The school communities have been left in the dark regarding our work and our intentions, resulting in a large degree of mistrust and concern amongst families."
Mr Sealy alleged much of the discussions were focused on the Caversham site, and Calton Hill was often lower on the board's list of priorities.
"I represent the community of Calton Hill, and despite assurances that they are considered to be an important part of the new school, there is ample evidence that this is not the case."
The principal appointment process was also handled "appallingly", he said. Despite applying for the job, Calton Hill principal Glenda Jack was not given an interview.
"To only offer interviews to two of our three existing principals is at best an horrific oversight and at worst a calculated insult to a dedicated professional.
"To then fail to inform them in a timely manner, so that they found out from another candidate five days later is shameful and has caused a great deal of emotional pain."
Despite the issues, Mr Sealy said he was still hopeful the new school would be successful.
He endorsed the appointment of principal Ben Sincock, wished him well, and said he would have great staff, passionate parents and wonderful children to work with.
He also showed respect for the individual board members.
"I cannot, however, endorse Isabell Sinclair Irwin as board chairperson, and wish my resignation to be considered a vote of no confidence.
"I try to see the best in people, and I believe that Isabell may be acting out of the best of intentions.
"However, the pain and the damage she is causing is real, and cannot be ignored. She is the wrong person for this job."
Mr Sealy said when he was appointed to the establishing board, he was filled with excitement for the challenge, hope that a great school could be built, and confidence that he could help ease a painful process for staff, children and their families.
"Some three to four months later though, the dominant emotion is one of sadness. It saddens me that our staff are hurting. It saddens me that our parents are angry and feel uninvolved. It saddens me that we as a board have let this happen."
He is urging the Ministry of Education to investigate further.
Mrs Sinclair Irwin said the letter had not been tabled at a board meeting yet, and she was not able to comment on the letter until it had gone through the board's complaints process.
