It is understandable that information pertaining to an investigation, reportedly of former Mars High School girls varsity basketball coach Dana Petruska, might never be made public. It is a Mars School District personnel issue, and if the situation doesn't evolve beyond that, such matters generally are handled outside the realm of public view.

But what was troubling at Tuesday's Mars School Board meeting, attended by about 20 players and parents, was some board members' reaction to parents' statements of support for Petruska. There were instances when board members rolled their eyes in response to what was said.

That shouldn't have happened.

People addressing the board should be accorded respect, even if the comments are contrary to individual school directors' opinions. As residents of the district, the players and parents had the right to voice their viewpoints regarding Petruska and the basketball program's future- despite the board's inability to speak openly about whatever is transpiring and what precipitated the district's decision not to rehire the coach.

To her credit, Julie Utz, a basketball player, wasn't shy about confronting the eye-rolling board members.

"We have held a lot of emotions down in all this," she said. "You expect us to handle ourselves maturely, then the board doesn't."

The board should remember that - regarding future discussion of the Petruska situation or any other issue.