B.N.T.U. May Step in on Behalf of Dr. Lorna McKay at Gwen Liz High

Lorna McKay

The Belize National Teachers’ Union may soon be involved in the battle between principal of Gwen Lizarraga High School, Doctor Lorna McKay, and chairman of the school’s board of management, Roosevelt Blades.  B.N.T.U. president Elena Smith told us this afternoon that she has been in touch with Doctor McKay, who promised to forward official correspondence requesting the Union’s assistance in keeping her job.  Smith says the union was not officially aware of any issues at the school, which would have been reported to its representative there. In any event, Doctor McKay has also retained legal representation and if the union gets involved, it will be working with her attorney to get the matter resolved.  Doctor McKay has held the post for fourteen years, but was placed on administrative leave, forthwith, while various allegations are being investigated.  On Monday, Chairman Blades hand-delivered a four-page letter giving notice to that effect. Despite being ordered to leave immediately and hand over her keys, Doctor McKay defied police and called in the press for an interview. That evening, the locks were changed on the office door and new keys handed to the vice-principal.  But Blades forwarded to News Five a video from the school’s security camera showing that Doctor McKay visited the school carrying a white envelope and leaving with a different manila envelope in hand. The Chairman contends that she should have written to get approval from the board as it is a clear violation of the terms of the administrative leave. According to Blades she had already gotten two boxfuls of material which was not checked before she left. Nonetheless, he indicated that he will not pursue the matter further in light of the wider investigation now underway.