Former Wolseley principal argues for lighter punishment for altering grades

A former principal found to have acted unprofessionally by altering students’ grades was back before the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) on Monday.
 
Kimberley Sautner and her lawyer were at a hearing where they were allowed to make submissions before the STF executive decides on a punishment.
 
An STF ethics committee found that Sautner altered grades for her daughter and at least three other students, following a hearing in February.

The accusations stemmed from Sautner’s time as principal of Wolseley High School back in 2014.

 The panel recommended Sautner’s teaching certificate be suspended for six months.
 
On Monday, Jay Watson, Sautner’s lawyer, argued the proposed penalty was too harsh. He cited the case of Cory Britton, a Regina vice-principal who was caught altering marks for students. Britton never had his certificate suspended, instead getting a written reprimand from the STF.
 
Watson said a reprimand was therefore a more fitting punishment for his client, who currently works as a principal in Alberta. Speaking after the hearing, Watson said any suspension of Sautner’s teaching certificate would apply in Alberta as well.
 
Sautner has never admitted to altering the grades and Watson told the STF hearing that that hadn’t changed. But, he said the lack of an admission shouldn’t count against his client.
 
Watson said if the STF feels a suspension is warranted, it should be for two weeks at the most. 
 
The STF executive will make its decision in the next few days. They are required to notify Sautner by letter, at which point she would have 30 days to appeal.