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Parents and students urge New Albany-Plain Local board to reinstate middle-school theater director and demand review
Summary
At a packed June 8 meeting, dozens of students, parents and community members urged the New Albany-Plain Local Schools board to reverse the resignation of middle-school theater director Melissa Gold or to commission an independent review, citing the program's role as a safe space and concerns about transparency.
Dozens of students and parents packed the New Albany-Plain Local Schools board meeting on June 8 to urge action after the abrupt resignation of New Albany Middle School theater director Melissa Gold.
"I don't feel safe in this district anywhere but theater," student Lucy Stanfel told the board, describing years of bullying and saying Gold provided a safe space she cannot now find in the district.
Students and parents recounted similar experiences. Seventh grader Caitlyn Love said theater "was the New Albany Middle School theater program that was a huge factor in my decision to returning to public school" and asked the board to "bring Melissa Gold back." Student Ruby Stson and Isaac Israel described theater as a community that builds confidence and leadership for the more than 80 children in the program.
Several parents and community members urged the board to investigate district actions. Parent Amanda Lenhard, an attorney, said families received limited information and asked the board to "conduct an independent review of all of the circumstances that surrounded Mrs. Gold's resignation and the actions that led to it." Another commenter said she reviewed public records that left questions about timing and process.
Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, a board-certified psychiatrist, told the board she had observed Gold at rehearsals and said Gold combined high expectations with inclusive practices that led students to "grow to meet those goals." Dr. Clint Sanfil, an educator, framed the dispute in terms of the district's stated values of relationships and belonging and urged transparency and listening to stakeholders.
Speakers alleged that the administration did not meaningfully engage with theater families before posting the position and that complaints were solicited in ways that worried parents. Several asked whether the board would exercise oversight rather than allow administration to handle personnel matters in private.
Board members thanked speakers and moved on to the business agenda; the board did not announce a reversal of the personnel action during the June 8 meeting. The board subsequently entered executive session later in the evening under Ohio law to consider personnel matters.
