Moth spraying keeps pupils home

By AINSLEY THOMSON

The principal of Hamilton's largest school is threatening legal action as hundreds of his students stay home today for the planned fourth round of asian gypsy moth spraying.

Fraser High School principal Martin Elliott told 900 junior students to stay home if the spraying went ahead after the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Education would not budge on their refusal to cover the cost of staff on sick leave because of the spray.

Mr Elliott has called in Occupational Safety and Health and said it was investigating the Crown's legal responsibilities.

In a letter to the Ministry of Education yesterday, Mr Elliott said if he had the support of OSH, his next step would be to take legal action against the ministries.

OSH is expected to release its findings today.

Mr Elliott said eight of his staff were experiencing serious health effects and the school faced a $20,000 bill for relief teachers, a cost the Government should meet.

The legal action would be to get that money back, he said.

"I'm simply claiming my due compensation. I'm not interested in making money out of the Government."

Mr Elliott said the Ministry of Education was annoyed about the junior school's closure today, and had told him he was over-reacting to the situation.

"But they have had five weeks to sort this one out. They can't try and blackmail me with this one."

The school was struggling to find relief teachers, Mr Elliott said, and keeping the junior school at home would free staff to concentrate on senior classes facing NCEA and bursary exams in 10 days.

A ministry spokesman said Mr Elliott's latest correspondence would be addressed.

Mr Elliott also said he wantedsick staff to be properly looked after. He said they should not lose any sick leave for time taken off because of spraying, but that has been rejected by the Ministry of Education.

MAF has a doctor and nurse at the school on spray day. They see staff suffering health problems to arrange additional advice and support.

Mr Elliott said the board of trustees supported his stance.

There had been no opposition from parents or students.