A HANDWRITTEN DOCUMENT that enhanced the academic report of an Alexandra fifth former more than eight years ago was yesterday described as evidence that could be damaging to principal Jeff Broomes at the Commission of Inquiry into the Speightstown, St Peter school.
In new evidence revealed by Deputy Principal Beverley Neblett-Lashley before a hushed audience in the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Complex, the handwritten document of outstanding grades reflecting a five-year period was in stark opposition to the school’s official record, which showed that the student, who only spent a year at Alexandra, had failed in several subjects.
The handwritten report was also shown, via Neblett-Lashley’s testimony on the witness stand and a written statement from the principal’s now-retired secretary Merlene Sealy, to be the original draft of a transcript typed by Sealy on the principal’s instructions on the student’s behalf.
Sealy, who retired in 2004, must now appear before the commission on Monday and face questioning by Broomes’ lawyers since, according to Commissioner Frederick Waterman, yesterday’s evidence “could be damaging to Mr Broomes, and in fairness to him, Ms Sealy should be summoned” to testify.
