Sacked Bialik principal seeks damages
FORMER Bialik College principal Joseph Gerassi is suing the school for damages arising from his sudden sacking in August last year.
FORMER Bialik College principal Joseph Gerassi is suing the school for damages arising from his sudden sacking in August last year.
Gerassi is seeking millions of dollars from the Hawthorn East school, following what he says was a breach of his employment contract with the school and a contravention of the Fair Work Act.
In an application to the Federal Court, Gerassi’s lawyer Andrew Farr claimed his client had suffered shock, distress and humiliation, as well as damage to his professional standing and loss of income resulting from the handling of his termination by the school.
The official reason for Gerassi’s sacking was that the school board had lost confidence in his leadership, but according to court documents, Gerassi had no knowledge of this prior to his dismissal.
In his claim, it is alleged he was given an ultimatum in a meeting with Bialik president Graham Goldsmith and school council member Dan Feldman to resign or be sacked within the hour, and was not afforded the opportunity to respond.
Farr claimed Gerassi had asked for more time to consider his options, but that his request was denied by Goldsmith and Feldman and he was sacked on the spot.
In its notice of defence, Bialik denied these allegations.
In a letter addressed to Gerassi on the day of his sacking, Goldsmith told the South African-born educator he should not have any communication with “media, staff or the school community” and was told “not to attend the college”.
Gerassi came to Bialik from King David School Victory Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, but was sacked after less than three years in the job. He said he was looking forward to the matter being resolved.
“The only thing I would like to say at this point is that I took the decision to take this matter to the Federal Court at great cost in an attempt to clear my name and to restore my reputation,” Gerassi said in a statement.
“I am looking forward to having the opportunity of giving my side of the story in court, having the issue resolved, putting it behind me and then hopefully being able to move on with my career.”
Goldsmith declined to comment, but in a letter to parents and staff he wrote: “For legal reasons we cannot discuss the merits of the case brought by Mr Gerassi. The college will be vigorously defending the claim.”
Gerassi has not worked in education since his sacking by the school and is currently consulting for the Pratt Foundation.
A court date has been set for February 21 next year.
ADAM KAMIEN
Sacked Bialik College principal Joseph Gerassi.
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