Education Shame

Kelly Daniels | 29th June 2009

CLAIMS of harassment, intimidation and drug sales that are yet to be proven by Education Queensland have led to Slacks Creek State School groundsman, Terry McDaniel, being suspended from his job without pay.

Mr McDaniel spoke exclusively to The Reporter Newspaper last week, fed up with what he claimed was bullying by the department.

He said the problems started in October last year after a playground incident led to a complaint by the school principal.

“I had been working there for nine months by then, and in February this year I was suspended on full pay,” he said.

But last week Education Queensland emailed Mr McDaniel to say they were suspending him without pay, despite the accusations not having been investigated.

Mr McDaniel has been banned from going onto the school grounds without permission from the department, further complicated by the fact he has two children who attend the school.

“I'm extremely fed up,” he said.

His wife, Megan McDaniel, said the stress had been enormous on the family.

“It's our reputation, parents are making all sorts of claims against us,” she said.

“It's affecting our kids at school.”

Mr McDaniel said Education Queensland had not acted quickly, despite repeated phone calls from him to find out where the situation was up to.

The Daisy Hill resident also said complaints he made to Education Queensland about the school were ignored.

The situation escalated two weeks ago, at the school's sports day when two plain-clothed police officers were asked to attend the day.

Mr McDaniel asked the police why they were there, and was told it was because of him.

“I've been unfairly treated and victimised by Education Queensland,” he said.

“At the end of the day my name, and my family's reputation has been dragged through the mud.

“My wife went to this school since preschool.”

At the end of the day, Mr McDaniel said he just wanted to know if he had a job.

“I love my job, but I just can't see myself going back,” he said.

If the situation doesn't get resolved soon, Mr McDaniel said he would consider pulling his children out of the school, and even moving suburbs.

Mr McDaniel's sister-in-law, Amy, said it was embarrassing to be at the school with the police following them.

Education Queensland refused to comment on the matter saying they were bound by strict privacy regulations.

A spokesperson for the department said it was not appropriate for Education Queensland to comment about staff disciplinary matters in the media.

“These issues are treated seriously and are dealt with as a matter of priority,” the spokesperson said.

“They are investigated thoroughly in line with the Department's Ethical Standards policies and the appropriate processes need to run their course.”

'I've been unfairly treated and victimised by Education Queensland. At the end of the day my name, and my family's reputation has been dragged through the mud.'

- Terry McDaniel