Trent Senger officially disciplined

Trent Senger, the former principal of Sacred Heart High School, has officially been disciplined by the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board.

Documents released by the SPTRB reveal that Senger will be prohibited from applying for a teaching certificate from one year from May of 2017. Before applying for a teaching certificate, Senger is also required to complete, at his cost, two courses in the area of principal/leadership skills, ethics, education law or sensitivity training. Senger is also ordered to pay for the costs of negotiation, at $5,000. If Senger does receive a teaching certificate in the future, he will still be prohibited from entering or approving grades in the Ministry of Education’s Student Data System.

At issue were six charges of professional misconduct. 

One, that on or around June 30, 2015 Senger directed staff to falsify a student transcript to give a passing mark in a class where the student did not register. 

Two, that between September 1, 2012 and November 1, 2012, Senger engaged sexist, offensive, profane and belittling comments to or about colleagues. 

Three, that at a December 4, 2014 School Athletic Awards banquet that he made humiliating or hurtful comments about a student, including “I’ll talk slower so [student] can understand.” 

Four, at the same banquet, that he made a offensive, hurtful and humiliating comment about a parent employed  in the waste management collection industry.

Five, that between September 1, 2012 and November 1, 2015 that as principal Senger failed to take appropriate steps to ensure students would be eligible for graduation.

Six, that between September 1, 2012 and November 1, 2015 Senger, as principal, did not hold sufficient fire drills.

Senger pled guilty to all charges of professional misconduct.

The joint submission in the case recommended four years prohibition from applying for a teaching certificate but no cost to Senger. The disciplinary committee did not follow the joint submission because they believed that Senger’s agreement was not truly voluntary or well informed. They also believed that following the submission would set an unhealthy precedent in future cases.