Catskill students and parents protest outside school

CATSKILL, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — Students and parents protested outside of Catskill High School on Monday. They say they are upset with the district’s superintendent and his handling of a situation that he refers to as being under investigation.

The students outside school Monday morning said they would not be going to class for the remainder of the day. This was not their first act of protest; they staged a walk-out on Friday.

In a statement released by Superintendent Dan Wilson in response to Friday’s walkout, he referred to the situation only as a “personnel matter.” Monday morning, students and parents were holding up signs with phrases like “SAVE SHAH AND SAVE STORRS.” Junait Shah is listed on the district’s website as the high school principal, and Michelle Storrs is listed as the chorus teacher. According to protestors, these staff members have been suspended.

“We are going to fight tooth and nail until these two people are brought back. They deserve to be here,” said Christine Mudge, a parent of a student in the district.

Superintendent Wilson made no mention of either of those staff members when he read a statement to the crowd during the protest.

Wilson’s statement was difficult to hear, as protestors shouted back at him as he read it from a piece of paper. The statement was later released in full on the district 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.

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.

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

Superintendent Dan Wilson

There was a petition circulating the crowd, and one online as well, calling for those staffers to return to work and for the superintendent to resign.

Protestors said there has been a school board meeting scheduled for Monday at 6:00 P.M., but board members did not return NEWS10’s attempts to confirm this. Protestors say they plan on going to the board meeting.

Wilson has not responded to multiple requests from NEWS10 for comment.

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