In Australia, Principal Resigns After Students Exposed to Asbestos

October 17, 2014- A former principal at an Australian primary school in Thornbury relinquished his position after an investigation into the exposure of children to asbestos found him negligent.

Chris Sexton, who worked at Wales Street Primary, was told to resign after two prep classes at Wales Street Primary were potentially exposed to asbestos particles in dust in the carpet. Thirty-nine students and their teachers were potentially exposed to the asbestos for a week in February.

In a letter to parents, regional director Janette Nagorcka said Sexton was "taking up a new opportunity in the department.”

A report said that an asbestos audit should have been completed before the renovation began, the school's asbestos register and risk-management plan appeared to be substantially out-of-date, and the classroom was reopened before clearance had been given.

More than 500 people signed a petition to Education Department secretary Richard Bolt on change.org calling for the reinstatement of Sexton. "He is excellent at his job and is much loved by both the children and parents," says the petition written by Vivian Hardwick.

Read the full theage.com post here.

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