Sandys Secondary School's Board of Governors chairman Eugene Cox yesterday stood by a decision to sack French teacher Josseline Philip.

Mrs. Philip -- who is from Guadeloupe, but married to a Bermudian -- said principal Melvyn Bassett told her in May that they would be working together during the next school year.

But a week later she was told her employment had been terminated.

Mrs. Philip said Mr. Bassett must have known her termination was pending when he told her she would be staying at the school and therefore he had been deluding her.

She also noted that an advertisement for her job had been placed in the newspaper earlier this year, but he had reassured her that he was only gauging what teachers were "in the market''.

Mrs. Philip is now seeking legal help in fighting the school's board and Mr.

Bassett.

Bermuda Union of Teachers organiser Milton Scott said legislation allowed Mrs.

Philip to compete equally with Bermudians for jobs because she was married to a Bermudian.

He said the school's board had terminated her employment as if she was under a contract which was wrong therefore an attorney had been working on the matter since May.

But yesterday while making it clear that he did not wish to resolve the matter through the media, Mr. Cox said he was "most disturbed'' that Mrs. Philip had taken the matter public.

"We have a teacher who is making claims which are outrageous,'' he said.

"Some two months ago the teacher had referred the matter to her lawyer and union organiser. We have responded in turn.'' Mr. Cox said he had a letter, stating the board's position and that the action taken was constitutional, sent to Mrs. Philip's lawyer.

"To date I have not heard anything back from them,'' he added. "So I'm a bit disturbed to find that people elected a certain route. I am still awaiting a response from her lawyer.'' But Mrs. Philip last night told The Royal Gazette she had not seen a letter from the board and she said she was in regular contact with her lawyer who she declined to name.

She also said she was not upset with the fact that she was terminated as much as with the way in which it was done.

"I don't think the board of governors realise the way Mr. Bassett proceeded.

You don't expect a responsible person to act like that.''