An angry crowd flooded Monday night’s Colfax Elementary School Board meeting to demand that Superintendent/Principal Jon Ray and seventh grade teacher Michelle Heimann be placed on administrative leave.

After waiting close to five hours for an answer, the crowd left the meeting feeling frustrated and dissatisfied. Many vowed to keep their children home from school, while others threatened to recall the school board.

Following the first of two closed sessions, the board announced that an attorney had been retained to investigate allegations of misconduct.

Several parents had submitted letters to the board last week outlining what they claimed was inappropriate behavior between Ray and Heimann, the former school board president hired as a long-term substitute teacher last year.

When the meeting was opened for public comment, several people – parents, grandparents, teachers and a former school board member -- questioned how the investigation could be conducted with Ray and Heimann on campus.

Others expressed concern about the safety of their children.

“I fear retaliation for my wife and children,” said Brandon Bean, whose wife works in the office. “I’m speaking on behalf of those who established this school. I believe the school board should stand up and take note of our community’s concerns.”

Shelly Duarte, the mother of five school-age children, directed her frustration at the board – asking them to maintain a “learning environment and prevent retaliation.”

“I was personally (verbally) attacked by their friends in the presence of my 8-year-old,” she said. “There is a lack of professional behavior on the part of Ray and Heimann. I expect a full investigation and ask for their suspension while the investigation is being conducted.”

Others who agreed with Duarte expressed concern for their children’s education.

“My son has been coming home telling me the principal is sitting in Heimann’s science class all day long,” said Robin Rollins. “And another student is teaching her math class.”

Still others alleged excessive texting and cell phone calls throughout the day.

“I don’t want to send our kids to school in that environment. We’re begging for our children’s sake so they will feel OK to walk into that school,” said another parent, who vowed to keep her children out of school if the board did not take action.

“What is the board going to do when all these parents pull their children out of school,” Bean asked the board. “You need to think about that.”

Third grade teacher Pam Adams voiced her support of the superintendent.

“It has never felt as loving and as accepting (here). Mr. Ray has brought that to our school,” Adams said. “It is not school-wide. It makes me feel very disturbed to hear parents say their children are going to be harmed when they’re going to be in my class all day. ”

Rollins agrees that Ray has been a positive influence on students in the past, but is disappointed with what she believes is happening on campus.

Now a sophomore at Colfax High, Rollins acknowledges her son needed some motivation to finish his studies at Colfax Elementary.

“Mr. Ray talked to him. He gave him some incentives and my son graduated because of him.”

In the end, the board voted 4-1 to hold a second closed session to consider the audience’s request. Board member Brant Hoffman cast the dissenting vote.

At 11:15 p.m., the board returned with their decision.

“The board has determined to continue with an independent investigation,” stated Scot Yarnell, a partner with the Sacramento law firm retained by the Placer County Office of Education.

He then spelled out the board’s direction to the two under investigation.

“In the meantime, they will refrain from cell phone use and texting during school, refrain from contact and communication with any person regarding these allegations and refrain from contact that would constitute retaliation to students, staff or parents.”

Although Jon Ray confirmed Tuesday that he had attended both closed sessions, he had not returned return calls or e-mails asking for further comment by press time.

Heimann could not be reached for comment.

District Secretary Terri Smith indicated the school had verified the absences of 34 students on Tuesday.

“That’s fairly normal (absence) for this time of year,” she said, adding there was no indication the absences were connected to Monday night’s board meeting.