Senior college bosses warned principal's suspension 'could ruin' the institution

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Bosses at troubled South Lanarkshire College expressed “serious concerns” highlighting possible “considerable financial and reputational risks” for the institution.

That came in the form of a letter sent to the Scottish cabinet secretary for education and skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the eve of the dramatic suspension of its principal.And Lanarkshire Live can reveal the contents of the letter, which warned of “unprecedented risks to the college’s reputation, financial sustainability and good governance”.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android In a highly unusual move, seven senior executives penned the letter collectively on November 23, 2021, claiming that “due process” had not been followed while principal/chief executive Aileen McKechnie was under threat of suspension.

She was suspended the next day alongside interim clerk to the board, Brian Keegan - with both remaining so - amid a probe into “various complaints.” The letter warned that working conditions were “impacting the health and wellbeing” of senior staff and were having “a significant, visible impact on our principal and chief executive, and the senior leadership team.” Following that, the authors of the letter – who include depute principal Stella Marie McManus, the associate principals of the college’s three faculties, and heads of