Perth Modern principal stood aside

Perth Modern School principal Lois Joll has been stood down following a review into the school's workplace culture.

Department of Education director general Lisa Rodgers said she had recently commissioned a review into the school's workplace culture.

"It has become apparent that changes are required at the school," Ms Rodgers said in a brief statement.

Shenton College principal Mike Morgan has been appointed interim principal.

No further details have been provided on the review or circumstances surrounding Mr Morgan's appointment.

These changes come five years after the school’s board raised concerns about Ms Joll.

Most board members, including nearly every independent member, declared in 2016 they had lost confidence in the principal and sought her resignation.

The dispute related to governance arrangements surrounding plans to build a $10 million, 700-seat auditorium.

The board members felt they were not consulted properly on the auditorium plan and that funds should have been put towards maintaining the school’s existing facilities, including science rooms and sporting fields, and hiring relief teachers to meet staffing gaps.

The Department of Education responded in 2017 by engaging KPMG to conduct a review of governance arrangements.    

Following the review, (then) director general Sharyn O’Neill said there needed to be clearer direction around financial management and governance of capital works projects but chose to retain Ms Joll as principal.

That decision was followed by the resignation of nearly every independent board member.