Today Belize High School issued a press release in response to the PUP's United Women's Group, who called the school out for gender bias. The release states, quote, "The Board and management assures that it is an institution of equal opportunity and that at no time the termination of Mrs Jamie Usher had anything to do with issues of gender. Neither is the issue about women being supported in leadership positions, and, as testament to this, the interim principal is another female leader at the school. It regrets that UWG, a political organization, would take a stance on an internal private matter without knowing the facts." End quote. They've also stated that the well being and education of their students is their first priority, and they're moving ahead with all planned trips and competitions.

And while BHS would like to close that chapter, Usher isn't going gently into that good night. The wife of PUP minister, Henry Charles Usher, has retained former UDP prime minister, Dean Barrow, as her attorney. Barrow has written to the school saying that Usher's termination was, quote, "in violation of the school's grievance procedure and [Usher's] natural justice rights." End quote. The letter goes on to say that Usher was never formally notified of complaint against her and never given a chance to know and defend any breach accusations.

The letter also explains that Usher is entitled to a substantial damages award and is prepared to go to court for it, but would prefer not to litigate. Barrow has given BHS seven days to provide a settlement proposal to avoid suit. After the seven days, Usher will lodge a claim.