We discussed it at length this morning (yesterday – ed.) whether to find a new principal for the Georg Ots school or whether to look for the director of the new fine arts school. It seemed right to look at the longer perspective. Hiring someone to replace Saluveer simply to let them go ten months from now would not be fair.
What has Saluveer told you these past few days?
One moment he understands the staff's concerns, the other he is overcome by emotion.
Has he suggested that his resignation would perhaps be the least painful option in a situation where such a significant part of the staff has voiced lack of confidence?
Yes, he has. He has said that if you believe it is necessary for me to resign, I will.
So the ministry is holding him back?
No, not that. However, the ministry has said that it will hold an audit and look at the longer perspective. Saluveer has not filed a letter of resignation. He has said that he will leave should the ministry conclude he has broken the law. We are waiting for the audit.
He has been warned several times by the ministry?
“I will leave if that is what you want,” constitutes a very emotional sentence in Saluveer's case. At the same time, we cannot say he has not done a good job as a person of culture. He does, however, have certain shortcomings as a manager.
We could keep those two things separate: an inspiring musician, conductor, creator, but perhaps not a school principal of ten years?
Exactly. However, in the words of a person I had a conversation with a few days ago: a choirmaster cannot abide interruption lest the vocal score comes undone. That said, Aarne Saluveer has no future as a school principal, that much is clear.