As Whitney Institute prepares to close its doors for the final time today, Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons called for one last effort to be made to save the doomed school.

Dr. Gibbons urged the Ministry of Education and Whitney Educational Trust to embark on a cooling-off period following their spat over repairs to the ageing building which culminated in the decision to permanently shut the school.

On Tuesday, both sides issued statements blaming the other for a breakdown in talks — although neither seemed to agree on what was the sticking point. Yesterday, Education Minister Randolph Horton and Ministry officials met with faculty and staff to "outline the rationale" behind the decision.

Mr. Horton will meet with teachers, staff today and parents tonight at the schools cafeterium at 7 p.m.

Last night, Dr. Gibbons said a mediator should be appointed to confirm points of agreement and identify issues that need resolution.

"We are very disappointed and concerned to learn of the Education Minister's decision to close Whitney Institute and withdraw its school registration certificate," he said.

"There are many good reasons to keep the school open. There are also realistic steps that can be taken to resolve the impasse between the government and the school's board of trustees. No one should be giving up on Whitney Institute. Maximum effort should be made to enable the school to continue serving new generations of students and the community, as it has for more than 100 years.

"Closure will disrupt the academic lives of many students and, at a time when the education system is in turmoil, particular effort must be made to avoid unnecessary disruptions.

"To that end, we call for a cooling-off period and a recommitment by both sides to find solutions. We believe a mediator should be appointed to confirm points of agreement and to identify issues that need resolution."

Dr. Gibbons offered a suggestion he said could keep Whitney open: "There are also practical steps that can be taken to keep the school open.

"One suggested approach would be for the school not to take its M1 class next year, thus freeing up the most dilapidated wing for thorough renovation over the course of the school year."

The school, which has been open 125 years, has recently faced problems including rats, bad plumbing, slippery floors and a faulty fire alarm.

Education Minister Randolph Horton said on Thursday that the school would not provide the money for refurbishments until Whitney made an assurance it would stay in the public education system for at least five years. He said the trustees failed to make this pledge.

However, the trustees argued the Ministry had said it would take months to review its refurbishment proposals, meaning the decision was taken out of its hands.

Last night, Bermuda Union of Teachers president Keisha Douglas claimed Government had failed to consult teaching staff over the closure, while general secretary Mike Charles accused the Education Ministry of a lack of accountability.

Ms Douglas said: "While the Whitney Institute family were in prize giving, it came on the news Whitney was to close. We received no call and basically they decided to close the school. It's one thing to tell teachers you will still have a job in September and your pay won't be interrupted, but they are anxious and upset because they do not know their fate."

She said: "We do not appreciate not being privy to the contingency plan. The teachers should not have to worry about where they are going to be (in September)."

Mr. Charles said: "I want to ask the Minister if their exhibition yesterday is an example of accountability, which they say is part of the reform process. This is a good instance of their accountability.

"If this is the kind of attitude you have towards us as employers, then what do you expect of us?".

One Whitney parent, Alyce Douglas, told The Royal Gazette in an email: "As a parent who has two girls at Whitney Middle School and who would have been starting their second year at the school in September 2008 I am extremely devastated. Both the Ministry of Education and trustees are responsible for this unfortunate event which impacts 235 students.

"I find their lack of action for years could have been averted if both parties were more responsible. It is the students and the teachers and the community who will be the victims of the Ministry of Education and trustees lack of leadership and incompetence."

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