Tensions Grow at Belize Rural High School

Tensions continue to grow at Belize Rural High School in Double Head Cabbage though students are back in the classrooms. Five teachers of the relatively small school decided to show their discontent with the school’s board by staging a sick out on Wednesday. The board and the principal, Juan Gongora, who has the support of the teachers, are not seeing eye-to-eye over several issues including the school’s financial records. A proposed meeting between the school’s board and the principal and teachers which was to occur today did not happen. This evening the school issued a brief press statement in which it confirmed the sick-out. According to the statement, the purpose of the sick-out is because of “a high level of abdication via the doctrine of ultra vires by the present Chairperson of our Board of Management”. In short, the school is according to Chairperson, Ardeth McFadzean; operating beyond their authority. When contacted, Principal Gongora would not go on record to discuss the issues. The release also says “we want to make it absolutely clear that our hearts are with our students in River Valley.”