The TN Tatem Middle School Parent Teacher Association has filed a writ to prevent the Commissioner of Education from transferring the school’s principal, Francine McMahon.

The writ, filed on January 31 by J2 Chambers, seeks a judicial review in the matter of “the Commissioner of Education’s Decision to transfer the principal of TN Tatem Middle School for the purposes of professional development”.

The school’s Parent Teacher Association and the Bermuda Parents Teachers Students Association are listed as complainants, while the Ministry of Education and the Commissioner of Education are listed as defendants.

A Ministry of Education spokeswoman said: “As this is a matter before the courts, the Department of Education advises that it would be inappropriate to comment.

“It should further be noted that the department does not comment on personnel matters.”

The complaint is not the first regarding plans to move the school’s principal. In 2012 the PTAs of both TN Tatem and Victor Scott School successfully challenged the involuntary transfer of the school’s principals in the Supreme Court.

In that case, Chief Justice Ian Kawaley ruled that the Ministry of Education broke with an expected consultation with the school’s PTAs when their principals were ordered to move to other schools.