Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
The controversy surrounding the Suthermere Preparatory School in St. Andrew took another twist on Wednesday with a ruling from the Supreme Court, which barred the estate of the school from evicting the institution from the property and closing the school.
Justice Lennox Campbell
granted an injunction on the basis that the executors and managing director of the institution had not followed the proper regulations of closing a school. The Ministry of Education and Youth requires that a year's notice be given before a school can be closed.
Financial problems
Scott Burke, the managing director of the school, told The Gleaner some three weeks ago that the school would be closed on July 31, due to non-payment of rent, bankruptcy and possible financial irregularities.
Subsequent checks by The Gleaner also revealed that the Life of Jamaica (LOJ) Winchester residential estate was in negotiations to purchase the property.
New management installed
Althea McBean, a lawyer representing the administration of the school, said the institution will reopened at the same location at 6 Strathairn Avenue on September 5. She also revealed that the school has installed a new management team.
Ms. McBean said that the administration of the school has been in dialogue with the Education Ministry and has been seconded in their quest.
"Although it is a company, it is also a school and there are certain regulations and statutes that govern how a school should be closed," she explained. Mr. Burke said that, while he was unaware of the injunction, the administration of the school could not form a new management team because he was still in charge. He challenged the actions of the administration claiming what they were doing was illegal.
"Nobody has contacted the estate about taking over the school, therefore they can't just form a new team," he said.
