Published: Monday, 30th June, 2008 12:00
Priorsford pay-off
By David Knox
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THE SUSPENDED headteacher of the Borders’ largest primary school has been given a golden handshake from her council bosses.
Karen Smith was shown the door from Priorsford Primary last November following heavy criticism in reports by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education.
And for the past eight months she has remained on ‘special leave’ while a probe into her leadership was carried out by her education bosses.
But last week Mrs Smith, 55, was welcomed back by Scottish Borders Council to receive, what is believed to be, a lucrative farewell package worth up to £100,000.
Successful applicants can confidentially choose between a single compensation payment or an initial lump sum with annual payments.
One Priorsford parent told us: “If I messed up at my job I’m sure they wouldn’t pay me to stay at home then come along with all this money to retire.
“Every school in Peeblesshire is having to cut back and make savings yet they can afford to give even suspended workers these golden handshakes.”
Applications for early retirement were invited by Scottish Borders Council earlier this month as part of new proposals for schools drawn up by education boss Brian Keenan.
And the Peeblesshire News understands the department has been swamped with requests from headteachers and department heads across the region.
But MSP Christine Grahame believes the council should be transparent about the system imposed for selecting retirement candidates like Mrs Smith.
She told us: “I have concerns that this has all the appearances of a pay off to avoid attempts at dismissal.
“These are not the kind of circumstances you would expect for meeting the criteria for early retirement. Under these circumstances it raises a lot of questions that the council should perhaps be answering.”
But Scottish Borders Council are far from transparent these days.
The Peeblesshire News requested details about the way they are spending public money on early retirement packages and also the situation at Priorsford Primary School.
But our questions were met with silence. A spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on the personal circumstances of any individual member of staff.”
And education office holder at the council Catriona Bhatia told us: “Mrs Smith has taken early retirement, there is little more that can be said.
“We will be advertising the post of headteacher very soon and we will be hoping to appoint a new head after the October break.”
Around 50 high-ranking officials from the local authority have already been selected from other departments for early retirement this year – costing tax-payers more than £2 million.
And a similar amount of money will be blown on early-retirement packages for up to 50 members of education staff as part of the Transforming Children’s Services plans.
Priorsford’s acting headteacher Keith Russell will remain in charge of the 400-pupil school until a new head is appointed later this year.
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Proof is in the pudding