MONTEGO BAY, St James — Classes were halted at St James High School on Monday following an incident between the principal and chairman of the school board who have been at loggerheads for the past three years.

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) sent out a closure notice to parents, advising that it “cannot ensure a conducive learning environment until these grievances are fully addressed”.

When contacted, both men — Principal Joseph Williams and Chairman Christopher McCurdy — had different views about what happened at the school on Monday.

“We were having a staff meeting here this morning, he came and he disrupted the staff meeting… When we asked him to leave so that we could have the staff meeting, he said he would not. I had to call off the meeting and when I did that now, he threatened me, he came pointing to my face… in a threatening manner. It was quite upsetting. Even the students came and they were up in arms and said that he needs to go — staff and students,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer.

He said the police were later called in and disgruntled staff only went back to work after he appealed to them to do so. Williams said second shift classes ended at 5:30 pm as usual, on Monday.

However, McCurdy said Williams was the aggressor. He told the Observer that since late last year Williams has had an issue with him being board chairman. He said tensions escalated in February after it became evident that he was returned as chairman and alleged that placards were placed at the school gate.

McCurdy said when he showed up at the school on Monday Williams threatened to hit him with a bottle and some staff members also issued threats against him.

Neither men commented on the other’s allegations but Williams is of the view that McCurdy’s departure will solve all the problems.

It is unclear when classes will resume. The PTA message to parents, under the name of its president, D Brown-Williams, said further updates would be provided.

The principal is hoping classes will resume today (Tuesday) but said that depends on teachers. According to him, they have been asking for “redress” from the education ministry since last year.

He said he is also hoping for a response this time around.

“Bear in mind, in St James, this is the only school that is on shift. We have limited amount of time to prepare these students for external exams. [The] school has been doing so well, and we don’t want that to be thwarted,” added Williams.

St James High currently has a student population of more than 1,700.

— Additional reporting by Horace Hines