Education minister John O'Dowd's decision to establish an independent investigation into the situation at De La Salle College is the latest attempt to resolve what has become an increasingly fraught dispute.
The west Belfast school has been in turmoil for several months following a breakdown in relations between some of the staff and principal Claire White while parents have picketed the school amid growing concerns over the their sons' education.
Last month an associate principal was appointed in a bid to address the difficulties which have caused an unprecedented level of division in one of our local schools.
It had been hoped this move would ease some of the tensions which have affected staff relationships.
However, on Wednesday a statement from the INTO union said that from Monday its members at the school, numbering around 50 staff, would not co-operate with Mrs White, including not taking any instruction from her and not giving her any information about their teaching.
Plainly, the vote in favour of industrial action showed that rather than improving, the situation at the school appears to have worsened and probably left the education minister with little choice but to intervene.
He said he had taken his decision after meeting with a concerned parents group and following new information.
The review he announced yesterday will look at a range of areas, including the role of senior management, staff welfare and work relationships.
It is not entirely clear to the vast majority of people outside De La Salle why this highly-regarded school should have been affected by so much upheaval and discord.
But they will view with alarm any breakdown in relationships that affects the education of pupils.
Many boys will be sitting important exams in coming weeks that could have a major bearing on their future job prospects and the next stage in their lives.
That needs to be the key focus of staff and management right now as wider efforts go on to get this school back on track.
