Signage controversy: Has the ASPS Principal been sanctioned?
Virgin Islands News Online was told that Hon. Walwyn had instructed that the newly erected signage, with words ‘The Mighty Mighty’, be removed from the school building exterior and replaced with ‘Althea’ and that he reportedly directed the school principal that the removal be completed before school re-opened on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The slogan has since been removed from the building.
Ms. Flax-Headley had labelled the decision by the Minister as insulting since the directive was allegedly issued without any prior dialogue with the school's administration.
She had also said the school was given permission by former Minister for Education Hon. Andrew Fahie to use the slogan on the building at its own expense and it was done to boost morale among students and staff.
According to our sources within the Education Ministry, Ms. Flax-Headley was allegedly summoned by the Minister following an article on this news site in which she had expressed her disappointment with the way the matter was handled.
She had indicated to Virgin Islands News Online that she received an email Sunday night January 1, 2012, from Acting Chief Education Officer Jillian Douglas-Phillip instructing that the sign be removed. The Principal further noted that no one ever called to say why nor did the email include a reason for the decision.
“The school has a principal, and two assistant principals, not one of us were called. The sign is there for a reason and we got permission to put it there. I feel that the department should have had the courtesy to dialogue with us if there was a problem with the slogan,” she had said.
It is not clear what came out of the meeting involving Minister Walwyn and the Principal as when contacted Ms. Flax-Headley declined to comment.
The Minister could not be reached for a comment either.
Minister Walwyn had previously issued a statement on the matter in which he said it is a long standing policy for the Government of the Virgin Islands to name schools in honour of outstanding educators and that the Althea Scatliffe Primary School is one such institution. “The recent painting of what appeared to be a slogan on the school, though ingenious and fosters school spirit, is not in keeping with the expressed desire to honour those who served and the promoting of their legacy of service. The said signage has thus been removed from the school building after the principal was informed accordingly,” the statement read.
“It is noteworthy to inform the public that such a sign on the exterior of a public building should be approved by Government or may be placed on the interior of the building on a bulletin board or as a poster,” the statement concluded.
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