KEY POINTS:
The principal of the controversial Selwyn College is set to resign after a long-running battle to balance academic performance and the demands of a wealthy community with those of a liberal, multicultural ethos.
The Herald understands that Carol White, whose work was acknowledged in this year's New Year's honours list, will announce her resignation within weeks.
Ms White, who has been at the school for almost 20 years, did not return calls yesterday. But a source close to the school said she would tender her resignation at the next board of trustees meeting at the end of the month.
Deputy chairwoman Margaret Belich refused to be drawn. Asked if she was expecting Ms White's resignation, she said: "It may or may not happen but we're not in a position to comment and we really don't want to.
"It's something that's strictly a matter between Carol and the board."
Ms White was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the honours list.
When she was appointed deputy principal of Selwyn in 1988, the student population was 85 per cent Pakeha and 15 per cent Maori and Pacific Island. Last year, the student body included children from 57 countries and more than 80 ethnicities.
The multicultural roll, and an emphasis on the arts, at the decile-five school in Kohimarama is celebrated by supporters of the school.
But some in the community believe the liberal ethos is at the expense of the academic record, and the school has struggled to attract students from wealthier sections of its catchment area.
Only about 15 per cent of the children who live in the area attend their local school, the roll is dropping and just 41 per cent of students passed NCEA level one in 2005, compared with the national average of 53 per cent at other decile-five schools.
The argument has simmered for a number of years, but came to a head this year.
Education Minister Steve Maharey ordered a specialist adviser to help to run the school because of bitter in-fighting among the trustees. A new board has since taken over.
Documents obtained by the Herald also revealed that Mr Maharey was concerned about the college's poor academic performance and low enrolment among families in its area.
He threatened to put the school under direct Ministry of Education control if the board could not get its house in order.
The Herald understands there will be no escalation of intervention and the board will continue to work with ministry adviser Alan Burton, who was appointed in February.
Mr Burton has sent a report to Mr Maharey, but it is understood the minister will not act until after the August 30 board meeting.
Ms Belich said there had been too much "outside engagement" in the college and the democratically elected board needed to be left to get on with its job.
"We've not got the final answers yet but we've come to some conclusions about what we need to do next and will be announcing them in a couple of weeks."
TROUBLED SCHOOL
* Only about 15 per cent of the children who live in the area attend Selwyn.
* Just 41 per cent of students passed NCEA level one in 2005, compared with the national average of 53 per cent at other decile-five schools.
