The Catskill Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday night after parents expressed concern about a lack of information from the district on personnel issues.

Among the issues expressed by parents on Facebook are the fact that their children still do not know who their assigned teacher will be.

Around 100 people filled the library room at the Catskill High School, eager to voice their concerns to the board in public. However, the board voted to go into executive session to speak privately with a small group of residents. This left parents such as Jennifer Holtz frustrated.

“I was not expecting at the very beginning of the meeting to. And then they don’t really come back out, so we’re just kind of left (out). I think I’m just shocked, I think. I didn’t expect it to go this way either. Honestly,” Holtz said.

The district has experienced some turmoil recently. Earlier this month, former high school principal Junait Shah was placed on leave pending an investigation into whether he had the proper qualifications. Shah has since accepted a position as director of innovation and technology for the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District.

He had been suspended in March, along with teacher Michele Storrs-Ryan, after an incident in which duct tape was placed on a student’s mouth during rehearsal for a musical. The student said Storrs-Ryan jokingly threatened to cover their mouths to get them to stop talking. Their suspensions prompted a huge turnout of supporters. They both were allowed to return to work. 

A petition with 400 signatures on Change.org is asking for board member Ryan Osswald to resign, citing a conflict of interest amid a pending legal matter. 

Jessica Birk was one of the few people who spoke directly to the board Wednesday night.

“It’s a combination of everything. The superintendent is number one. And number two is us all. And number three, there is no transparency — the school board to the community,” said Birk.

Board President Jeffery Holliday said that he wants to give the community answers but said he is being restricted by the law.

“There’s a lot more things than just one thing, right? And I know you want answers. And I know the things that have occurred in this community have been difficult because we haven’t been able to get answers,” said Holliday. “We’re trying. Just give us a chance to try and do the work.”

People who met with the board Wednesday night told NewsChannel 13 that the board said that they would release a statement on Thursday.