Mystery still surrounds the appointment of a limited statutory manager to one of Queenstown's newest schools.
On Friday the Otago Daily Times asked Madeleine Hawkesby, who has been assigned to Remarkables Primary School, if her appointment was in relation to an employment issue with a member, or members, of teaching staff, including principal Debbie Dickson.
Ms Hawkesby responded yesterday and said she was ''not at liberty to discuss personal employment matters, due to privacy obligations''.
However, the ODT understands her appointment may relate to a breakdown in the relationship between Ms Dickson and staff.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, RPS board chairwoman Jane Hughes said the board decided to seek outside assistance because it required ''specialised support''.
The appointment of Ms Hawkesby, of Christchurch, had been a ''voluntary and unanimous'' board decision, which would allow it to access ''appropriate resource and skills to assist the board''.
Ms Hawkesby said her role was to carry out the ''functions of the board in the areas of employment and to manage communication''.
Last week, she confirmed Ms Dickson was still employed as principal and her duties had not changed.
The decile 10 school opened to junior pupils in February 2010 and fully opened for years 1 to 8 in 2012.
Since then, its roll has increased tenfold.
In August, Ms Dickson told the ODT it was expected to reach 620 by the end of this year, 10 spaces shy of its capacity.
The ministry was working on plans to further expand the school, which in May took over the neighbouring former Frankton Playcentre building, converted into teaching space equivalent to two classrooms.
