Former principal accused of stalking successor with poison pen

A FORMER primary school principal has been charged with stalking her successor in a poison-pen campaign by sending him dozens of offensive letters anonymously over 12 months.

Sharon Saitlik outside Ringwood Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Josie Hayden

A FORMER primary school principal has been charged with stalking her successor in a bitter poison-pen campaign.

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Sharon Saitlik, 50, is charged with stalking Jason Walker by sending him dozens of offensive letters anonymously over 12 months.

Police say the letters’ writing style has been matched to Ms Saitlik’s by a veteran FBI forensic linguist, and her fingerprints were on sticky tape used to affix address labels.

But Ms Saitlik has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, telling police when arrested last July that the campaign was “appalling” and she had not written the letters. “It would be horrible,” she told them.

Sharon Saitlik outside Ringwood Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Josie Hayden

A Ringwood magistrate on Thursday adjourned the case till March. Leaving court, Ms Saitlik said she would be fighting the charges.

Mr Walker succeeded Ms Saitlik at Mont Albert Primary School in April 2016 after she was promoted to oversee principals in another area.

She is accused of sending letters to the school, and later to Mr Walker’s home, from June 2016 to last June.

Apparently signed by unnamed concerned or frustrated parents and staff, they said he was “foolish”, lacked leadership, and was ruining Ms Saitlik’s seven years of hard work.

Lines included: “Well haven’t you taken us backwards in a hurry”; and “You were the wrong choice for our school, Jason. Time for you to go elsewhere”.

When he took three days off to seek medical help for anxiety related to the letters, more arrived. Police allege Ms Saitlik was getting information from teachers and parents with whom she remained friends.

Alleged stalking victim Mont Albert primary school principal Jason Walker.

Letters were also sent to the school council president, Mr Walker’s supervisor, the local MP, and the Education Minister and departmental heads.

An Education Department internal probe found no fault with Mr Walker’s work.

Police said more letters arrived after Ms Saitlik was bailed. For the first time, she received a letter, which said parents and some staff were ­responsible for the campaign.

In December, Mr Walker received a Christmas card with a defamatory note once again taking aim at his leadership.

Investigations into letters sent since Ms Saitlik’s arrest were continuing, police said.

Questioned, she told police: “I’m innocent.”

The school and Mr Walker could not be contacted. The department said it took health and safety obligations “very ­seriously” but it would be inappropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.

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