Catskill community demands school reinstates suspended teacher
CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Both parents and students lined up outside Catskill Elementary to attend a board meeting and demand that Michelle Storrs' suspension be revoked. The music teacher was put on leave along with Principal Junait Shah after an incident during rehearsals for the school musical of Cinderella led to an internal investigation.
A student of Catskill High was alleged to have had tape forcibly put on her mouth by Mrs. Storrs. The student, Madison Mudge, previously spoke to NEWS10 and said this was false.
"When my daughter was allegedly harmed, none of these things happened. My wife and I were not contacted by the superintendent nor was the child abuse hotline," stated Madison's father, Tommy Mudge.
Educators at the board meeting say teachers have also felt mistreated in other incidents. They are calling for Superintendent Dan Wilson's resignation.
"Large numbers of people in the Catskill community fear that the superintendent has been unjustly targeting teachers; creating a hostile work environment by bullying and targeting teachers into resignations," described Ron Chiminelli, a community member.
The Catskill Teachers Association came up as a group to address their concerns over the direction of the district. Their president says her fellow educators are discouraged from teaching at Catskill as she says their climate is actively working against them. And those close to Mrs. Storrs say she is struggling to come to terms with what is happening.
"She's distraught over this. Look around and see this community showed up for her. Not only today, but since this whole thing happened," explained Marcus McGregor, the Choreographer of Cinderella.
The cast of Cinderella came to the meeting and screamed in protest to get a chance to speak. The play has been postponed to April.
"We are a family and we will stand with each other. This includes our director and we cannot do this battle without her. We will not stop fighting until our battle is won and we refuse to lose. Thank you," said a Catskill Junior who will play as Cinderella.
The board meeting ended without any vote or plans concerning Mrs. Storrs returning to work. Mr. Shah returned to his position on Tuesday.