Former Perth Modern School principal Lois Joll has been dismissed after being stood down from the role about 18 months ago, but has contested the decision.
The Department of Education commissioned a review into the Subiaco school’s workplace culture in November 2021, with Ms Joll being stood down from principal since then.
Former John Curtin College of the Arts principal Mitchell Mackay had been appointed Perth Modern School’s interim principal since December 2021.
Speaking to Business News, Principal Federation of WA president Bevan Ripp today confirmed Ms Joll had been dismissed and deputy principal Val Furphy has received a notice of intention of dismissal.
Mr Ripp said Ms Joll was notified a day before Good Friday and has lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
“The next bit is getting the Department [of Education] in a compulsory mediation meeting,” he said.
Mr Ripp said Ms Furphy was still making her mind on what to do next.
“What the two women was alleged to have done wrong would not, in my eyes, warrant a dismissal,” he said.
The Department of Education remained tight-lipped, only confirming that the principal position at Perth Modern School was vacant.
“A recruitment process is underway to fill the vacancy,” a department spokesperson said.
A job ad for a principal at Perth Modern was posted on Monday, advertising for a permanent full-time principal position starting in Term 3 this year which starts on July 19 for the school.
In 2016, the majority of Perth Modern School board members declared they had lost confidence in Ms Joll and called for her resignation.
The dispute came after governance over plans to build a $10 million, 700-seat auditorium at the school.
The Department of Education engaged KPMG to conduct a review of the school’s governance in 2017.
Ms Joll was retained as principal despite then director general Sharyn O’Neill saying there needed to be a clearer direction over financial management and governance of capital works projects at Perth Modern.
Most board members have resigned after the decision.