Education Department’s leadership decision on the principal of Samoana High School was based on the “employee’s performance and decision making for the past year,” says Education director Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, but didn’t identify the principal by name when responding to media inquiry on the matter.

As Samoa News reported Tuesday, SHS principal Mataese Samuelu had been removed by the DOE director, while Talosia Upuresa took over the post as of last week Monday. However, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga sought reconsideration on Samuelu’s removal, but it appears that Vaitinasa remains firm on her decision.

Responding to media questions, Vaitinasa said Tuesday night that “our foremost responsibility in all DOE schools is to the students.”

She explained, “For the record, our leadership decision regarding the matter of Samoana’s principal was based on this employee's performance and decision making for the past year.

“Further, our leadership does not want to put Samoana High School at risk with the potential negative impact of his leadership on the teachers and students for the coming year.

“In addition, our decision was discussed with this employee two months ago. He was well aware of this matter.”

“In response to our decision, he has threatened us with a parental petition, an official leader's recommendation, his attorney, burning the school down and arousing public sympathy,” the DOE director claimed. “It was our intention to protect the confidentiality of such DOE personnel matters, but unfortunately, this administrator has left us no recourse but to make this issue a public topic of discussion.”

She said, “As much as we appreciate the parental support and an official leader's recommendations regarding this matter, I want the public to know this is a DOE matter.”

“Let the DOE leadership take care of our responsibility and make these difficult decisions. After considering and weighing all the issues concerning this employee we've made our decision and we stand firm on our decision,” Vaitinasa stated.

(Hunkin-Finau didn’t identify by name the ‘official leader’s recommendations’ but it’s understood that she was referring to Lemanu’s letter for reconsideration.)

“We wish this employee the best in searching for a new job after turning in all DOE equipment, keys and supplies assigned to him when he WAS the principal of Samoana High School,” she said.