Staff and former students who showed up to a special school board meeting in Cohoes left disappointed Wednesday.

The assistant superintendent was allegedly attacked at school by the director of facilities. Now one is resigning and the other is charged with assault.

The school board was set to accept the resignation of Director of Facilities James Stapleton, accused of attacking assistant superintendent Dan Martinelli. But attendees shouted over the board’s prepared statement. Vice President Margaret Giller adjourned the meeting, saying there would be no public comment portion.

Stapleton is facing assault and harassment charges, but according to Martinelli, hasn’t faced consequences in school.

“I had a good relationship with the board, and I’m very surprised that they gave him a golden parachute,” he told NewsChannel 13 after the meeting.  

Martinelli’s assistant also resigned after she, too, said she was a victim of Stapleton’s aggression that day.

“Two great people were highly affected, and we’re going to be losing two great people in our community because of it,” said Sandra Kipp, a registered nurse in the district.

Several former students came to support Martinelli. He was Sarah Walsh’s middle school principal.

“I was kind of a troubled kid sometimes,” she said. “He was the main one that I would look forward to talking to if I had to go to the office. We have Cohoes Tiger pride, and if you hear of a teacher or even a person you went to school with that have things against them that’s not right, you should stand up, and I think that’s what Cohoes taught us.”

The district sent NewsChannel 13 a statement from Superintendent Peggy O’Shea. It said in part, “While I am unable to comment on specific personnel matters, please know that we thoroughly investigate all complaints of workplace violence impartially and take appropriate actions based on the findings.”

It went on to say, “We have a zero tolerance for violence of any kind in our schools, workplaces, and facilities, and we will continue to uphold this standard rigorously.”

Board members told attendees they could make public comments at the board’s June meeting.

Daniel Martinelli sent in a resignation letter after being assaulted by a colleague. Martinelli says he was punched in the face and shoved in a closet.

His last day will be June 28.

Teachers, students, and parents will rally at the board of education’s special meeting. It’s at 6 p.m. in the middle school library.

Martinelli sent NewsChannel 13 this statement:

“I have made the difficult decision to resign from my position in the Cohoes school district after becoming the victim of an unprovoked act of workplace violence committed by the Cohoes Director of Facilities on April 16th. Despite the assault, I chose not to retaliate, staying true to the principles of non-violence that we strive to instill in our students.

“For the past twenty years, I have dedicated myself to serving the Cohoes community as an Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, and Assistant Superintendent. My unwavering commitment has been to foster strong community connections, support the growth of our exceptional teaching staff, maintain a visible presence, develop innovative programs to benefit Cohoes students, and celebrate the achievements of our families and students.

“It is with a heavy heart that I leave the district, as I am deeply saddened and disappointed by how this incident has been handled. The lack of appropriate action taken by the district has led me to the conclusion that I can no longer continue my work here.

“As I reflect on this troubling event, I am left questioning the district’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its staff members. This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for schools to take a strong stance against workplace violence and to support the victims of such acts.

“My resignation serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of violence and the importance of fostering a safe and supportive environment for all members of the educational community. It is my hope that the Cohoes school district will address this issue head-on and work to rebuild trust with staff, students, and families.

“As I move forward, I will continue to advocate for the principles I have upheld throughout my career, and I remain committed to supporting the education and well-being of students, even as I step away from my role in the Cohoes school district.“