The Long Way Home by Phillip Overton
****
Sally squirmed uncomfortably in the chair opposite Principal Stewart’s desk as the door to his office opened and in walked the three men who had kept her waiting for the past hour. Principal Stewart was the last to take his seat to the side of the other two education board directors who now occupied the sacred space behind his desk. It looked as though it had been cleared of his personal belongings for the purpose of today’s review. Sally looked uneasily across at the two men in their sharply dressed business suits, they had both introduced themselves shortly after lunch and the fact that she didn’t remember either of their names was irrelevant. After today she didn’t plan on meeting either of them again, she just wanted this to be over.
“Miss McKenzie.” The main man responsible for the review now spoke, his thick black eyebrows furrowing over the folder he had opened on the desk in front of him. “The board has already spoken at length with each of us prior to today’s meeting as regards what they see as an appropriate response to this matter. However after meeting with you in person today, all three of us have revised the boards initial suggested course of action and have submitted our final assessment which I will now read through with you.”
Sally took a sip of water from the glass on the small side table beside her chair to clear her dry throat. She thought she had been able to reason with them well enough this afternoon for them to see that the complaint made by Rowena Hardwick had been nothing more than a smokescreen in an attempt to cover up the abuse she had inflicted upon her own son.
“While recognising the personal nature of this complaint in relation to the involvement between yourself and the ex-partner of the student’s mother, the board remains unchanged in the fact that this situation occurred as a direct result of not following school procedures. Had you followed the instructions of Principal Stewart before rushing off on your own agenda, it would have been all too apparent that the injuries sustained to Simon Small were the result of another student and not his mother as you claimed.”
“But I already told you that Simon is lying to protect his mother.” Sally pleaded, already picturing the smug look on Rowena’s face. How she had ended up retaining custody of Simon was beyond any sense of reason.
“During further counseling with the school principal, Simon made it clear Miss McKenzie that his injuries were the result of an altercation outside of the school grounds and was later able to identify the student as Max Abbott. The student’s parents were contacted and the school subsequently dealt with the matter accordingly, and saw to it that the student was suspended. The board’s findings are that you unsuccessfully tried to manipulate a student to fabricate events against his mother as a result of a personal vendetta against your partners’ ex-wife. Furthermore, the board was able to establish that you deceitfully left the school premises during hours of employment during which time you unjustifiably caused bodily assault upon the student’s mother.”
“If you are really going to believe that, then there’s not a thing I can say in my defense.” Sally sighed in disgust. “She’s got you fooled as well, and meanwhile Simon is living in danger of this happening again.”
“The only evidence the education department was able to obtain in your defense Miss McKenzie was a restraining order issued against you by Miss Hardwick. On a personal note, we are also aware of a recent custody dispute that the family law court of New South Wales ruled in favour of Miss Hardwick. I’m sure if any of what you are insinuating resembled a shred of truth, they would have seen fit to rule otherwise. The board’s recommendations are final, in recognising the past six weeks you have served suspended from teaching, we are prepared to offer you a conditional return to duties.”
“Conditional in what way?” Sally asked puzzled.
“Rather than continue to have you stay home in a paid capacity, it is our recommendation that you be able to return to work in the role of a relief teacher. This decision of course means that you will no longer return to your assigned class. That post will be filled for the remainder of the year by the relief teacher we currently have assigned to that position and in turn you will resume in her role, provided that you do not attempt to come into contact with Simon Small. This is of course only a temporary solution until arrangements are finalised for your transfer.”
“Transfer?” Sally exclaimed, in complete shock from just the sound of the word. “Nobody ever raised the possibility of a transfer with me, where did this come from?”
“I’m sorry Sally.” Principal Stewart finally found the nerve to speak up. “Simon’s mother doesn’t want you to return to the school, and to be honest, with all the talk this has generated amongst the parents and other teachers, it would be in the best interests of the school if you were to move on.”
“I’m afraid that Mr Stewart is right Miss McKenzie.” The education director raised his eyebrows at her as he closed the folder in front of him, symbolising that the matter was now closed. “I’m aware that before you accepted a permanent teaching position at the end of last year you had indicated the Tweed Coast region as one of your preferences should any permanent teaching roles become available. The upside of this is that there is a definite opening at Tweed Heads South primary school for next year and with some notice there is a very real chance that they may even be able to accept you in a relief capacity for the remainder of the year.”
“Tweed Heads?” Sally’s mind was racing, thoughts already shifting toward her relationship with Doug and what this was going to do to it. “What other options do I have on the table?”
“By not accepting this position Miss McKenzie, you’ll only be moved on to a school that’s not of your choice when the need for a relief teacher arises. Failure to accept would then result in dismissal. My advice is to accept the offer that is on the table now and make the most of a new start up north. Take the weekend to think things over and advise Mr Stewart of your decision first thing Monday morning when you return to duties.”
With that the three men stood to their feet and opened the door for her, leaving Sally with no choice but to stand also and shoot one last, confused look over her shoulder as she walked out of Principal Stewart’s office.