NORWICH – More questions were raised than answered with the announcement that the man many still consider to be the Norwich High School principal has filed a notice of claim against the district.

Thomas Knapp sat stoically as his wife Kathy rose during public comment at Tuesday night’s Norwich City School Board of Education meeting to speak on her husband’s behalf.

Mrs. Knapp announced that a notice of claim had been filed against the school district with the district clerk at 2:03 p.m. that afternoon. According to Mrs. Knapp’s statement, Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan was named along with the district in the filing.

A copy of the filing was presented by Mrs. Knapp to each of the school board members, but was not made public at the meeting.

During the public comment that followed the announcement, several district staff members and residents spoke out on Knapp’s behalf.

High School staff member Wanda Wallace said she had been excited when she first saw Knapp at the meeting, but was disappointed when she realized that his presence didn’t mean he would be resuming his leadership role at the school. “I do know that it makes no sense to me,” said Wallace. “He is a fine principal.”

“I have never seen anyone as well respected and well liked as Mr. Knapp,” said district resident Rosemary Brown. “We haven’t had a lot of good principals in the past. Think twice before you get rid of this man.”