DURANT, Iowa —Some parents in Durant say they depended on Monica Rouse.

That’s why parent Lynn Oetzel stood before approximately 100 people at the Durant School Board meeting Tuesday night to say she disapproves of the District’s decision to keep Rouse, the Durant High School principal, on administrative leave.

Rouse was placed on leave Sept. 17, and district officials and Rouse have scheduled a Nov. 30 hearing with an administrative law judge at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in Bettendorf. Larry Bartlett, the administrative law judge, will issue a proposed decision  within 10 days of the hearing.

Durant school officials have said Rouse failed to maintain accurate student records and to provide a safe learning environment.

Other allegations included a lack of professional judgement and inability to be a positive leader or role model.

Oetzel was one of six area residents who spoke to the Board Tuesday night about concerns they have with the District.

Oetzel cried as she described the way another member of Durant High School staff had called to tell her that Ryan Blahosky, the Durant High School dean of students, was shouting at her son in front of the other students and making inappropriate remarks about facts that were supposed to be confidential.

She said she took comfort in knowing Rouse would be at the high school in case her teenagers needed assistance, but that was before Superintendent Duane Bark placed Rouse on administrative leave.

“Our family’s been in crises for over a year and she’s, (Rouse,) been a pivotal factor in helping us,” Oetzel said.

Applause followed Oetzel as she made her way back to her seat. The audience reaction was also enthusiastic as other community members came to the front to speak.

Another Durant parent, Tara Case, asked the Board members about a letter she sent them Oct. 6, outlining some concerns she had about district policy regarding violations of employee confidentiality and invasion of privacy. Case said she received a letter from board president, Richard Stoltenberg, which said her request was being reviewed. On Oct. 27, Case said she sent the Board a second letter, asking what it had decided.

On Tuesday night, Case asked if anyone from the Board was willing to talk with her and answer her questions.

“Give me a call,” said Stoltenberg.

“I already gave you a letter,” said Case.

Teresa Flack, a Durant High School graduate whose children and grandchildren are also Durant graduates, said one area family had Bark served

with a cease-and-desist order on Oct. 19, after he attempted to get them to give him information about Rouse. Flack, a human resources professional, said the fact that Bark was served should have been taken seriously by the Board.

“Is he above reproach?” said Flack.

Flack, who accused the Board of rubber-stamping Bark’s recommendations, said she has reviewed Board minutes from past meetings and learned that  members have voted with Bark 100 percent of the time.

“The Board should review all sides of the information instead of agreeing with Bark,” said Flack.

Rod Conner of Durant asked the Board how much the legal fees would cost the District and taxpayers before the battle over Rouse’s job is done.

Before the comments began, Stoltenberg announced that the Board could not take any action on the public comments Tuesday evening.

“I’d like to know how to get an answer,” said Conner. “Maybe next time you guys meet, you could address some of this. I’ll be back.”