The Catskill School Walkout

By Michael Ryan and Andrea Macko (Porcupine Soup)

CATSKILL - Internal intrigue and intense external controversy continue to surround a series of student walkouts and parent protests in the wake of the suspension of two Catskill High School workers.

Hundreds of people rallied, on March 4, in support of suspended principal Junait Shah and chorus teacher/musical director Michelle Storrs-Ryan, demanding their reinstatement.

That storm of dissent whirled even as the Board of Education was meeting behind closed doors about what is apparently an administrative decision.

This all followed a March 1 student walkout and March 3 demonstration by the public calling for the reinstatement of Shah and Storrs-Ryan.

An estimated 150 parents and students gathered at 7 a.m. on March 4, outside the office of school Superintendent Dr. Dan Wilson.

Wilson emerged to read a prepared statement but his words were largely drowned out as protesters shouted “liar” and yelled for him to resign. Wilson’s statement was later posted to the district’s website.

“We want to assure the community that we take all allegations seriously and are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in our schools. Our focus remains on providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, faculty and staff,” Wilson stated.

“While we understand the public’s interest and concern, it is imperative to recognize that there is a process that must be followed.

“Therefore, out of respect for the integrity of the investigation and to preserve the rights of those involved, the district and I are unable to provide further comment at this time,” Wilson stated.

“I want to be clear in stating that the investigation is still open and no decisions have been made at this time,” Wilson added.

On the afternoon of March 4, a small group of students were still gathered on the lawn of the district office, some standing on the sidewalk holding signs in support of Shah and Storrs-Ryan.

Some students said they would not return to class until the suspensions are lifted and meanwhile, tough questions are beginning to surface about how the still-cloudy situation was handled administratively.

There are serious unanswered questions about the source of the complaint against Shah and Storrs-Ryan and the in-house, chain-of-command decision-making that led to what has become an explosive issue.

Shah and Storrs-Ryan were suspended February 29 while the district was reportedly investigating an incident involving tape being put over a student’s mouth during rehearsal for an upcoming March 15-17 performance of Cinderella by the school drama club.

It happened sometime, last month, when Storrs-Ryan purportedly teased students that if they did not quiet down she was going to apply tape to do so, resulting in a playful back-and-forth, according to some students.

One student reportedly volunteered and briefly put tape on her own mouth, and that student subsequently said it was done in a safe, joking fashion.

However, sometime after that, another student, apparently in the musical production, made a formal complaint to Shah who reportedly concluded nothing inappropriate had occurred.

Things become murky at that point in terms of a separate complaint then being filed resulting in the investigation and suspensions.

The school district has not revealed who made that complaint, what it said, or why actions were taken so swiftly against Shah and Storrs-Ryan.

Sara Pickens Verdon, president of the Catskill Music Parent-Student Association, said that Shah and Storrs-Ryan have allegedly been asked to submit their resignations

While the district has confirmed that it is investigating, school officials have not commented on specific allegations, publicly named Shah or Storrs-Ryan directly, or confirmed that either educator has been suspended.

The Catskill Teachers Association (CTA), Storrs-Ryan’s local union, issued a statement Monday confirming “Wednesday’s suspension of a Catskill educator.”

“We understand the administration is doing its duty to conduct an investigation and this takes time.

“We believe that once the investigation is completed, district leadership will no doubt come to the same conclusion that so many students, parents, and community members have: our member should return to work.

“Thanks to all who have expressed their support for our educators these past few days. CTA is hopeful this will all be over soon and we can focus on the important work of educating our students.”

Protesters assembled again Monday night outside where the school board was conducting their closed session, declaring it was being held for the sole purpose of discussion with the school district’s attorney.

“This meeting will not be public due to attorney-client confidentiality, which makes the meeting exempt from being held in public under Public Officers Law 108(3), which exempts any matter made confidential by federal or state law,” the district further stated.

When the board and Wilson left the meeting after about four hours, a group of community members were still waiting outside.

Catskill police officers were present as board members got in their cars and left without making any statements or answering questions.

The next scheduled public Board of Education meeting is March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library, two days before the curtain rises on Cinderella amid fears it will be cancelled.

On Sunday, parent Ellen Shook launched a Change.org petition “for the immediate return of Principal Shah and Music Teacher Mrs. Storrs to their respective positions within the district.” It also calls for Wilson’s resignation.