If the paper trail does not exist it could be argued he turned a blind eye to the warning signs and failed in his duty to take all practicable steps to protect the children.
If this paper trail exists, Stephen Hovell may have a legal argument for retaining his principal's position. The fact remains though, regardless of what steps Stephen Hovell took, it wasn't enough and the offending continued.
Stephen Hovell was the principal of Pamapuria School for a good 20 years, earning close to $2 million in that time. A principal is paid to be there both in the good times and the bad.
However, as things turned bad Stephen Hovell abandoned the children, school and community when they needed him most.
He was told not to speak to media, fair enough. So he should have put out a press release to say "The welfare of my students is my priority. I will not make any further comment to media", and then moved quietly among his community to support and reassure children, parents and staff, and continue to quietly run the school.
Instead he opted for a paid holiday to Australia. A lapse in judgement and a failure to do his duty to the school.
Now the dust has settled he wants to move back in. However, the school wants to move on. He should respect that and stay away. Instead he will take a personal grievance for wrongful dismissal, hurt and humiliation.
Another lapse in Stephen Hovell's judgement. He will create more pain for a school still hurting. A good principal whose first thought is for the school wouldn't do that.
Stephen Hovell needs to remember James Parker sexually abused dozens of children on his watch over many years. He may retain some honour and integrity with a quiet and dignified withdrawal from Pamapuria. A good principal will easily find work in another school.
KELVIN DAVIS Kaitaia
