Big payout to teachers who sued the school

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK education reporter

An Auckland secondary school has agreed to pay $105,000 to eight teachers who sued over being criticised and threatened on the job.

Kelston Girls High School fought the teachers for two years over their claim for $400,000 in compensation for poor working conditions.

But the teachers, including a guidance counsellor, have now settled with the school, avoiding a court hearing next month.

The teachers, who brought their case against the board of trustees for unjustified disadvantage, claimed they were threatened and criticised when they questioned the school's principal, management or board.

The teachers said they also faced aggressive behaviour from other colleagues, and were threatened with demotion if they complained of unfair treatment.

The school, which has until November 2 to make the payment to teachers, settled the case as part of a judicial conference involving Judge Barrie Travis of the Employment Court.

"Thankfully it's resolved itself without the necessity of three weeks in court," said Patrick Walsh, lawyer for one of the teachers.

The school's principal, Linda Fox, and board chairman, Dr Clive Stone, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Mr Walsh said the teachers were happy with the settlement, but still had concerns about management and governance issues at the school.

Mr Walsh, who represented the teachers with lawyers Paul Pa'u and Hugh Fulton, said the school could have easily avoided the settlement by listening to the teachers' concerns two years ago.

The school had also refused to enter mediation with staff.

"It's still a very raw situation at the school," Mr Walsh said.

"It's been extremely stressful for them. But they want to put it behind them."

It is understood three of the teachers - Joanne Williams, Louise Van de Water and Catriona Renwick - and guidance counsellor Maggie Anderson are still working at the school.

The remaining teachers - Len Smith, Rosemary Cumming, Bill Draper and Kathleen Mulligan, - are working elsewhere. None could be contacted for comment.

As part of the settlement, the head of Unitec's management school, Carol Cardno, will work with Kelston Girls and its staff to help resolve any problems.

The teachers' lawyers have also invited the Education Review Office to make a discretionary review at the school.

It is not the first time Kelston Girls has had to settle a personal grievance case with staff.

In July last year, English teacher Virginia Woolf settled out of court with the board over a personal grievance claim for $350,000.

Ms Woolf claimed she was forced to resign in January last year, after teaching at the school for 14 years.

She sought compensation for humiliation, medical costs, backpay and loss of future earnings.

The settlement sum has not been disclosed.