Public school principals have resolved their differences with the Ministry of Education over the way a head teacher was ordered to leave her school at short notice.

The Association of School Principals (ASP) filed a complaint against the commissioner of education, Wendy McDonell, in June after she told Gina Tucker her time was up at Victor Scott Primary School with just weeks to go before the end of term.

ASP president Lisa Smith said at the time that Mrs. McDonell's decision was in breach of the collective agreement it has with Government, as a notice of transfer should have been given before March 31 to allow time for a proper handover with a new principal before September.

Mrs. McDonell, who was then acting commissioner, issued her order after an arbitrator said Dr. Tucker should be removed from Victor Scott following a grievance filed against her by Anthony Peets, a counsellor at the Pembroke school.

Ms Smith told The Royal Gazette this week that the ASP's grievance was about the process, rather than a complaint on behalf of Dr. Tucker.

"It was about the how," she said, adding that the association was satisfied with the way the Ministry responded to the gripe.

"We had a meeting," she said. "I felt very comfortable, and the members that attended that meeting felt very comfortable, that the process will not be disrespected.

"We looked at how we are going to make sure we understand that there will always be emergencies. We were very happy with the quick turnaround of having a conversation about it and putting some things in place [for the Ministry] to be more proactive."

She said the grievance still had to be formally settled and the issue would come up again during normal negotiations between the association and the Ministry "to make sure we are on the same page".

A Ministry of Education spokesman would say only: "A ruling on the grievance was made within the time period stipulated by the Association of School Principals/Government agreement."

Dr. Tucker would not comment on what her new role will be in September but it is understood that she has not yet been informed.

A replacement head teacher for Victor Scott still needs to be appointed before September, along with new principals for Paget and West Pembroke primary schools.