SOUTH HADLEY — For at least one parent at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School, news of head of school Scott Goldman being placed on administrative leave in the twilight of his time at the charter school affirmed her thoughts on the controversial figure.

Lisa Andras, of Chicopee, said she has two children at PVPA and was compelled to write a grievance to the board after reading a Wednesday Gazette article. She said Goldman was “very aggressive, very dismissive” after an incident involving one of her children during the 2014-15 school year.

“I didn’t realize that this appears to be a pattern with him, but now that it appears to be a pattern I felt it was relevant and pertinent to the board” to write, she said.

Outside the school Thursday, parents and one student interviewed said they were surprised by the sudden controversy.

Joy Ladin, of Hadley, who has two children at PVPA, said the fact the sparring has taken place so publicly raises alarm.

“To me this looks like an organization that is in real trouble,” Ladin said, “because, to me, personnel disputes shouldn’t be handled publicly.”

She was also surprised Goldman’s 10-page speech hit parent inboxes.

“From the point of view of my email inbox, it looked like he was angry and he had time on his hands,” she said.

Dan and Mary O’Connell, of Springfield, who have one child at the school, said they were surprised and worried the staff was trying to undermine Goldman’s authority.

“It feels like his authority is being underminded,” Mary O’Connell said. “Especially when a student swore at him.”

Dan O’Connell was a Goldman fan.

“He’s done a lot for this school,” he said, mentioning the recently-opened theater on school grounds.

Patrick Olszewski, 17, a junior, said, “Overall he (Goldman) does care about the school.” But Olszewski also said he was “confused” by the sudden announcement.

In an email addressed to “the PVPA community” Wednesday, board of trustees President Geoff Sumi said the investigative body will have the power to extend Goldman’s leave should the grievances and petitions remain unresolved after two weeks.

He added the senior administrative team would develop a plan to run the school in Goldman’s absence.

“The Board is well aware of the challenges Scott’s absence brings to faculty, staff, students and administration, especially as we come to the end of the school year,” Sumi wrote. “We hope all members of the PVPA community will join us to meet these challenges with tact, patience and mutual respect.”

Jack Suntrup can be reached at jsuntrup@gazettenet.com.

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