Milton State School appoints external interim leader amid principal Paul Zernike’s prolonged absence
An “economically privileged” Brisbane school has made a surprise move amid concern among parents over the prolonged absence of its principal.
Education
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Concerned parents at an “economically privileged” school are demanding answers over the prolonged absence of its principal – and the surprise appointment of an external interim leader.
Paul Zernike, principal of Milton State School for more than 18 years, has been on leave since Term 1, with official correspondence attributing it to “health concerns”.
The Prep to Year 6 independent public school is in the up-market Rosalie precinct in Brisbane’s inner northwest and attended by around 620 children, including those of rugby league great Darren Lockyer, and musician Example and his ex-wife and model Erin McNaught.
“We just want to know what’s happening, it’s really worrying when we’re not kept in the loop,” said one parent.
Another said: “Milton kids are economically privileged; we’ve been told Mr Zernike’s is not coming back yet his personal effects are still in his office.”
On March 25, parents received an email from acting principal Anita Heinrich advising that Mr Zernike would be extending his leave into Term 2.
As a result, “the region has chosen to appoint an experienced principal to backfill Paul in his absence,” Ms Heinrich wrote in the email, seen by The Courier-Mail.
“His name is Mr Jason Boyd, a well-respected principal from Fig Tree Pocket State School.
Jason will join us from Term 2 and we know that we will all welcome him in the usual Milton way,” she said.
Earlier, on March 4, Ms Heinrich – who is usually the school’s deputy principal – wrote to parents to inform them that “due to health concerns, Paul is not returning to work this term” and that all correspondence for him should come to her.
The Courier-Mail understands many parents at the school are angry at its poor performance in NAPLAN, especially compared to the nearby Rainworth State School which has a similar demographic and size and regularly places in Queensland’s top 10.
Milton State School is one of 250 independent public schools (IPS), giving it “a high degree of autonomy around school governance whilst remaining firmly part of state schooling,” according to the parent information handbook.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it had “a responsibility to maintain confidentiality of employee information and therefore does not comment on individual employee matters”.
“Acting principals will continue to communicate with staff and their school communities about
ongoing staffing matters at their schools,” they said.
Mr Zernike was also contacted for comment.
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