Chairman of the Jamaica College (JC) Board, Michael Bernard, is rejecting “in every material respect” a report made by the Sunday Gleaner detailing the alleged multi-million-dollar package agreed on by ex-principal Ruel Reid on his resignation on Saturday (November 20). 

Bernard, in a terse statement on Sunday, dismissed the article as mired in inadequacies.

“Please be advised that the report in the Gleaner of Sunday, November 21, 2021, relating to the agreement that led to the resignation of Mr Reid is grossly incorrect, untrue and misleading in every material respect,” he said.

“What is true is that Mr Reid has resigned and Jamaica College is moving on with its march of excellence, having in the last five years under the leadership of Wayne Robinson, increased the percentage of boys passing at least five subjects including Math and English from 58% to 85%,” Bernard added.

While rejecting the claim, Bernard did not indicate the true figure that facilitated Reid’s departure from the Old Hope Road-based secondary school.

It was yet another controversy-laden day for Jamaica College after the board inked a confidential agreement paving the way for Reid’s resignation on Saturday. 

Earlier in the week, attempts by the JC board to extend Reid’s special leave, which expired yesterday, were unsuccessful as the institution did not get the requisite approval from the Fayval Williams-led Ministry of Education. 

A report in the Sunday Gleaner this morning cited an unnamed source, who suggested that Reid’s exit package would include a buyout of his contract for the seven years leading up to his retirement and other benefits—putting the sum in the region of J$100 million.

The report led to widespread condemnation on social media, with many members of the Jamaican public demanding the details of the agreement be disclosed.

• Related article: Ruel Reid resigns from JC