Key Takeaways
- A deputy principal accused of misusing school funds has been temporarily reinstated by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) while a full investigation is carried out.
- The woman was fired after a complaint that she used school funds to take her family on a school camp she had organized.
- The ERA found that the school board did not have a fair process for dismissal and that the deputy principal’s conduct did not warrant termination.
- The deputy principal will return to her role pending a proper investigation and a separate ruling from the ERA for a personal grievance she had raised against the school.
- The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of school funds and the need for clear policies and procedures.
Introduction to the Case
The case of a deputy principal accused of misusing school funds has taken a dramatic turn, with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ordering her temporary reinstatement while a full investigation is carried out. The woman, whose name has been suppressed, was fired after a complaint that she used school funds to take her family on a school camp she had organized. The camp, which was an annual event for Year 8 students, involved visits to Te Papa Museum and the World of Wearable Arts (WOW). The woman had organized the camp for several years and had previously paid for some aspects of the event out of her own pocket.
The Allegations and Investigation
The allegations against the deputy principal centered on her use of school funds to pay for her family to attend the camp as volunteers. The school board investigated the matter and found that there were inconsistencies in the documentation and narrative regarding the allocation of funds raised for the trip. The board was also concerned about the woman’s handling of funds for leavers’ dinners, with money being paid into her account each year without receipts or explanations for the expenditure. The woman accepted that she had made mistakes, including forgetting to repay the cost of her husband and daughter’s WOW tickets, but argued that she had not sought reimbursement for things she had paid for with her own money.
The Disciplinary Process and Termination
The school board began a disciplinary process, which the deputy principal claimed was flawed due to conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency. The board ultimately terminated her employment, citing concerns that she had mishandled school funds and had a "view that community fundraising money for the Wellington trip was yours to spend as you saw fit." The woman then turned to the ERA, seeking an order for her to be reinstated to her former role. She argued that she had a wide-ranging mandate to organize the school camp and that her decision to have the school pay for her family to attend as volunteers was justified.
The ERA Ruling and Reinstatement
The ERA member, Peter van Keulen, found that the board had not adopted a fair process for dismissal and that the deputy principal’s conduct did not warrant termination. Van Keulen noted that the board did not have a set policy for handling school funds, the board chair had a conflict of interest, and key people were not interviewed as part of the investigation. He also found that the subcommittee did not record its meetings, as required under the Public Works Act. As a result, the ERA ordered the deputy principal’s temporary reinstatement, pending a proper investigation and a separate ruling on her personal grievance against the school.
Conclusion and Implications
The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of school funds and the need for clear policies and procedures. The ERA’s ruling also underscores the need for fair and impartial disciplinary processes, free from conflicts of interest and bias. The deputy principal’s reinstatement is a significant development, and it will be interesting to see how the school and the ERA proceed with the investigation and the personal grievance claim. Ultimately, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical leadership and responsible management of school resources.