NORWICH – Most of the Norwich senior class was at Monday’s special school board meeting to show support for absent high school Principal Thomas Knapp. Despite their attempts, the seniors were not allowed to speak and the board went immediately into executive session.
Knapp, who has been with the district almost three years, has not returned from a medical leave of absence since before the Memorial Day. Former district Superintendent Robert Cleveland is filling in as interim principal.
Teacher Bruce Race spoke at the June 3 meeting, stating Knapp was healthy but had not returned. Another district employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the principal was told by Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan not to return to his post. Others have claimed Knapp is not allowed on Norwich school property. Although not on the job, Knapp did show up at a BOCES awards ceremony Friday to accept “Administrator of the Year” honors (see box).
As the question as to what happened with Knapp went unanswered, graduating seniors began to sign a petition stating they wanted him to be present for upcoming events that the seniors say, “would not be complete without him.”
Following the opening of the meeting, Board President Robert Patterson immediately received a motion to move into executive session to discuss the matter of a “person(s) employment history.” A vote was passed and as board members began to leave, senior Jaimie Sanita asked to be heard.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, according to Norwich City Schools Board policy Section A106.3, all meetings of the board of education, including committee meetings and study sessions, shall be open to the public, and all attendants will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. Section B106.3 ensures us that the same procedures applying to regular meetings also applies to special meetings,” said the student.
Patterson responded to Sanita’s comments stating that the board does not have to abide by normal procedures during a special executive session meeting and public comments do not have to be heard.
While it was apparent that some of the board members wanted to hear the students, others were quick to shake their heads and remove themselves from the room.
As the board members left, teachers, students and support staff members began to voice their displeasure. One audience member questioned the fairness of not allowing the students to be heard, while some went as far as saying the board was suppressing the student’s first amendment rights.
Following the board’s exit, Sanita was asked by audience members to read her prepared statement anyway.
Sanita, the class salutatorian, said, “Our intent this evening is to confirm that Mr. Knapp will meet tomorrow, June 10 at 8 a.m., and our intense desire to have Mr. Knapp present and distribute the certificates at the honors banquet, senior awards night and our diplomas at graduation.” Sanita said O’Sullivan had briefly spoken to her that evening and confirmed that Knapp will be present to hand out diplomas at graduation.
Sanita continued with her statement saying, “It has been our dream for these past three years to have Mr. Knapp present us with our diplomas; no other person would do because he has played such a meaningful and significant role in each and every one of our lives.”
Another senior spoke, saying the class of 2008 did not attend last night’s meeting only to ask for Knapp to be back for graduation, but also to ask that he returns for the next school year.
Following the students’ comments, several seniors said they would be at the June 17 board meeting to again make their voices heard.