The lawyer for under-fire school principal Esme Trott last night said that no agreement had yet been reached over her future at Victor Scott Primary School.

Attorney Juliana Jack said she had nothing new to report and said she and Ms Trott were still in discussion with the Ministry of Education over whether or not she would remain at the school.

Controversy surrounded the school after five or six teachers filed grievances against the headteacher in the September 1999 term.

The grievances were then re-filed against the Chief Education Officer and were later settled, and Ms Trott was asked to take certain steps.

Of the teachers who filed the complaints, most requested a transfer to other schools.

But, in a new twist this year, parents at the school launched a petition in support of their principal after learning that Ms Trott may have been forced to leave by the ministry.

Mrs. Jack yesterday said: "Until and unless an agreement is reached, she considers herself still the principal of Victor Scott School.

"She is full of energy and has a lot to offer. I have a big file full of support letters from parents and teachers at the school, as well as school officials who have visited the school.

"At the moment we are not in a position to confirm one way or another what will happen, but very soon we will be able to. We are still in discussion (with the ministry) and no decision has yet been made."

However, the Education Ministry is expected to release very soon, maybe as early as today ( who its new school principals are for the coming year.

But yesterday, they refused to comment on Ms Trott's situation, or whether or not Victor Scott Primary School would have a new principal for the new term.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous but who contacted The Royal Gazette earlier this year in support of the headteacher, said: "We don't want to lose her. She's caring and loving.

"She cares about the black boys and girls coming from the ghetto. They don't need to get rid of her. They need teachers to relate to those children.

"She can't run a school without good teachers. They need to give her another chance. We feel the responsibility should not just be on the principal. A ship's captain needs good crew.

"She can't teach every class. I have three kids there. I have a child in the infant class and I am pleased with the change compared with last year. This year there are different teachers."

Neither the Bermuda Union of Teachers or the Association of School Principals was available for comment yesterday.