Sandys Secondary School board chairman Eugene Cox yesterday said he hoped no legal action would be taken against a student who attacked principal Melvyn Bassett.

But he stressed neither he nor the board condoned violence.

Mr. Cox was referring to former Sandys Secondary student Kiwon Butterfield's attack on Mr. Bassett at the school's graduation ball at Sonesta Beach Hotel on June 29.

Mr. Butterfield punched Mr. Bassett -- in front of a room full of parents, teachers, and relatives of Sandys Secondary graduates -- after his name was not called during the ceremony due to his dreadlocks showing.

Mr. Bassett this week submitted a report on the incident to the Sandys Secondary board and the Education Department which is investigating the incident.

And while he declined to discuss details of the report until it was reviewed by all board members, he said: "I believe I will take instructions from the board on my next course of action. I'm pretty sure following our meeting I will have a clear sense of direction.

"There are some serious concerns that principals and teachers have.'' But while noting that teachers and principals had the right to press charges against students who attacked them, Mr. Cox yesterday said: "I hope in the long term it does not become necessary.'' "I do feel it was a most unfortunate situation,'' he added. "It is one of those things that I don't think will happen again and has not happened before at the school.

"Teachers said this was out of character for this young man and I hope that he will come out of it alright.'' However Mr. Cox said: "While I do not want to preempt the outcome of the investigations, I can say on behalf of the board we don't accept that violence is a means to solving any conflict, especially between teacher and student.

"We must stamp out any violence. Violence is no way to resolve a conflict.'' Mr. Cox also stressed the board was prepared to give teachers and principals throughout the system its "unwavering and unreserved support''.

"While I acknowledge people's rights regarding freedom of views, expressions, and religion,'' he said, "we have to look at procedures already in place for parents and students. Where such rules and regula tions are in place, they must abide by them.'' Noting that each school had its own dress code, Mr. Cox said: "It is not for the board to be flexible which we have been. Our code addresses the wearing of hair styles and we have a very reasonable approach. But it is something that the Department of Education has to address, so that we have a uniform policy throughout the Island.'' Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher, who has yet to review Mr.

Bassett's report, said: "We will use the contents as a case study for principals and ensure that principals are aware of the issues which occurred in this case and get some suggestions from them on handling future cases.'' Dr. Christopher noted that while the Education Department had set policies dealing with student violence and misconduct, it was up to individual schools to decide on handling such incidents.

He also noted no two cases were the same and therefore stringent policies could not work.

In addition to the Sandys Secondary School incident, Dr. Christopher said the Education Department will be discussing school dress codes and the recently-released Code of Conduct with all principals in the new school year.