SOUTH HADLEY — Trustees for the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School on Friday agreed to hire a law firm to investigate grievances filed against head of school Scott Goldman.

The board also unanimously voted to keep Goldman on paid administrative leave until June 6 while Sanzone & McCarthy, a Wellesley law firm, conduct the investigation. Goldman has been on leave since Tuesday amid complaints from staff and students.

Sanzone & McCarthy will provide a report of the investigation that details their findings regarding any violations, according to Trustee President Geoff Sumi.

School attorney James C. Donnelly said there isn’t a specific timeline for the investigation, but said it will begin promptly and be given sufficient time to ensure it is done right. Donnelly said he was not sure of the exact cost for the firm’s services.

To stay efficient during Goldman’s absence, the school’s administrators have created an interim leadership plan that involves distributing Goldman’s tasks between the six of them.

The investigation and controversy with Goldman, who announced plans last fall to leave his post at the end of this school year, comes during the last several weeks of class. The last day of school for seniors is May 25, and for grades 7 through 11 the last day is June 21.

On Tuesday, trustees were set to meet in executive session to discuss three grievances and two petition against Goldman, centering around an atmosphere of fear and intimidation complainants allege Goldman orchestrated with a raised voice and towering presence.

Instead of meeting behind closed doors, Goldman opted to have the discussion in public. He defended himself in a lengthy speech, referencing specific allegations against him and listing some of his accomplishments.

At Friday’s meeting, senior Seth Barrett, 17, read an email the Student Council sent to students encouraging them to stay positive and to have a “cooling-off period” during Goldman’s leave. The council is made up of three student representatives from each grade.

“Tensions are high, and we want to encourage harmony within the building; we don’t want to feed into negativity nor do we want to encourage information and rhetoric based on hearsay,” Barrett read. “There have been rumors and personal stories circulating in our community — we ask, with absolute respect to those involved, that students refrain from continuing to spread these stories.”

The school’s Personnel Advisory Board, three elected representatives who represent staff in the absence of a union, also issued a statement that was read by member Lisa Cappello.

Cappello noted that she was speaking on behalf of the 63 percent of the staff who signed a petition requesting Goldman’s decision-making capacity be limited.

“Although we are deeply distressed by how events have unfolded and how our whole community has been impacted, we choose to approach the future with all the positivity, compassion and energy we can muster,” Cappello read. “We owe this to our students.”

In addition to a thorough investigation, the advisory board is requesting that all faculty and staff revealed in Goldman’s letter be interviewed directly.

The advisory board also requested new and thorough policies be developed with input from the community and legal counsel.

“Workplace protections for employees at PVPA are inadequate,” Cappello read.

One parent spoke of concerns of her children’s well-being as her grievance was brought to public by Goldman.

“If Scott Goldman is to return beyond June 6, I know I will not feel comfortable with my children continuing here when he’s put our information and situation out there publicly,” she said.

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