Entire IS-Manila board resigns

The entire board of trustees of the Makati City-based International School-Manila (ISM) resigned yesterday over a dispute that has led to the suspension of classes for two days.

Tom Navasera, one of the members of the board who had resigned, said classes will resume today and an election would be held soon so that a new set of officers can be installed.

Navasera refused to give details on the circumstances surrounding the group’s resignation but said the welfare of the children was the most important consideration.

He said the board members decided to step down so that the children could go back to school.

"I stood as long as I can as a member of the board to uphold the institution’s by-laws and guidelines, but I had to resign for the sake of the children," he told The STAR.

More than 200 teachers and staff members walked out of ISM the other day and joined parents in denouncing the board of trustees for firing the school’s superintendent, David Toze.

The teachers told parents of ISM students that they would not report for work until the board steps down or was kicked out of office.

They said they decided to take drastic action to emphasize and state publicly that they no longer have any confidence in the school board.

Parents have protested the board’s action against Toze, who was reportedly escorted out of school after he was fired. His house was also padlocked and his car taken.

The board explained that Toze could not work harmoniously with the trustees.

Board president Helen Limcaoco has not granted any interviews but in her letter to the parents, faculty and staff, she stated that the ISM board of trustees has terminated Toze’s contract as school supervisor.

"After much deliberations, the board arrived at this difficult decision after fully considering recent events at the school," she said.

She also emphasized the need to appoint someone "who could serve as an effective, harmonious communications link between the board and the organization."

"The board believes that Stephen Dare, the assistant superintendent, can provide the link that is needed at the moment and he has agreed to assume these responsibilities," she added.

The Department of Education said yesterday it will not intervene in the dispute at ISM and a DepEd official added that a policy prevents them from interfering in management problems of private schools.

"DepEd accredits private schools, but has no direct supervision over these private schools," said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus in a comment sent through the agency’s communications division.

One concerned parent, Tarlac Rep. Gilberto Teodoro’s wife Nikki, said the dispute at ISM is mired in politics.

"My concern is the children’s welfare," she said, adding that the board and the school must settle the issue. — With Sandy Araneta