Lundby principal to keep his job

The principal of Lundby Continuation School, Truels Truelsen, who is currently on sick leave, will be allowed to keep his job regardless of whether his case goes to appeal, the chair of the school's governors, Bjarne Rasmussen, has confirmed to dr.dk.

"Truels is a good principal. Naturally, the board of governors stands behind him," Rasmussen said. "He is a not an unworthy principal for Lundby Continuation School."

60 days suspended prison sentence
On Friday, 1 February, Truels Truelsen was sentenced to a 60-day suspended prison term and found guilty of causing bodily harm through negligence in connection with a boating accident on Præstø Fjord. The court also determined that the principal lose his right to teach while sailing for a period of three years. 

It is not up to the court to determine whether Truelsen should continue as principal, however, as this decision lies with the board of governors.

Shortly after the verdict, DR News learned that the school's principal has been placed on sick leave indefinitely. This decision was made after an extraordinary board meeting held by the governors on Friday shortly after the verdict was announced. The school's vice principal, Lars Jensen, will now step in as acting principal.

Bjarne Rasmussen was unable to say when Truelsen would return to the school.

Parents call for principal's dismissal
Many of the students and parents involved in the tragedy have called for Truelsen's dismissal as principal after the verdict.

"I don't believe that he should have anything more to do with children or young people. He ought to be dismissed," said one of the parents, Lisbeth Kristensen.

Was abroad at the time
Truelsen was abroad at the time of the boating accident two years ago, which is one of the key reasons why his lawyer, Peter Giersing does not believe he should be held responsible.

Among the reasons for the verdict given by the court was that the school did not have written safety guidelines for sailing activities. According to the principal, the governing board and another teacher at the school, however, the school did have guidelines that specifically advised against sailed during wintertime. Giersing maintains therefore that responsibility for the accident lies instead with the late teacher Michael Jørgensen, who took his students out sailing and died in the accident, and not with his client, Truels Truelsen.