Williams:Broomes should be separated

Former secretary at Alexandra School Betty-Ann Williams. (Lennox Devonish)

Tue, July 10, 2012 - 1:32 PM

At least one employee at Alexandra School thinks principal Jeff Broomes should be separated from the Alexandra School.

That person is Broomes' former secretary, Betty-Ann Williams.

Williams, who retired as Broomes' secretary at the start of the year, was testifying at a Commission of Inquiry into the school today.

"I believe Mr Broomes should be separated from the school. He is an intelligent man, but I think something goes wrong in his head sometimes," Williams told the Commission this morning.

His former secretary doesn't think Broomes should be sent to another school.

"I feel he should be sent to another department of the ministry, and placed behind a desk to do paperwork. He is an intelligent man and has good ideas but I feel he would do the same thing at another school."

Williams told the Commisson her boss didn't even use her services, writing his own letters, something which she considered a dangerous practice.

"There were no tears. I was glad to go," Williams testified, when asked by attorney Hal Gollop to describe the atmosphere when she left.

She said her decision to call it quits came after six years of constant abuse by Broomes, which included him shouting at her in the presence of students.

Williams even admitted Broomes made her quite angry at times by his constant shouting, and one time she put in him place, shouting back at him.

"You shouted at the principal" Commissioner Frederick Waterman asked Williams.

"I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't take it anymore. I'm a no nonsense person."

The former secretary said such personal outbursts caused her to reconsider her own behaviour, and played an instrumental part in her eventually resigning from the school where she had worked since 1977, and under three different principals.

barryalleyne@nationnews.com

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Posted by Winston Grecia 10 months, 2 weeks ago: Seems like Mr Broomes did not trust the his Secretary with confidential correspondence. UI wonder why?

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Posted by Pan Wallie 10 months, 2 weeks ago: Perhaps they should have allowed the goodly lady to elaborate on:" I think something goes wrong in his head sometimes." Her opinion might have helped.
Having admitted that the Principal shouted at her and she responded similarly when she could no longer take the abuse, it behoves the Commissioner to ask: "You shouted at the Principal?" Was this supposed to be rhetorical or what?

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Posted by James Sealy 10 months, 2 weeks ago: I think that she should have been examined longer. It may have shed light on why Mr. Broomes did not enjoy a good relationship with some of his colleagues.

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Posted by Frank Husbands 10 months, 2 weeks ago: "....This was the most unkindest cut of all"

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Posted by John Da Silva 10 months, 2 weeks ago: They are inviting everyone and their mother to testify. i hear the lady who sells sweets at the gate will be next on the stand.

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Posted by Pan Wallie 10 months, 1 week ago: Very funny@ John Da Silva, but you might be right.

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Posted by SANDREA BUTCHER 10 months ago: So let me get this straight. The Principal can shout at an employee that is ok. But the commission is shocked that she shouted back. If you pelt at a monkey it will pelt back at you.