Secondary school principals have turned on the School Trustees Association, saying it treats them like servants and is out of touch with school boards.
The principals' criticism follows a trustees association article on the future of education which the principals say ignores the roles of teachers and principals.
First to react was the Secondary Principals Association, which said the STA behaves as if it has the right to determine the future of schools without co-operating with teachers and principals.
Its president, Patrick Walsh, says principals around the country are worried about the trustees association's attitude.
He says it is out of touch with local school boards and the situation could cause major conflict between boards and principals.
School Trustees Association president Lorraine Kerr says the allegations are not true and the STA is happy to talk with the principals about what they want.
But the Post Primary Teachers Association says it is hard to work in partnership with the trustees organisation and the Principals' Federation, says the STA has a them-and-us attitude.
