SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Slippery Rock Area’s school board meeting was once again filled with parents and staff wearing “Moraine Matters” shirts as they keep pressure on the district, but public comment was much quieter this time around.

The library of Slippery Rock Area Middle School was packed full Monday night, Sept. 22, due to continued discontentment with the district’s handling of Moraine Elementary School principal Kristie Shulsky.

This followed a dozen or so parents and taxpayers speaking their minds at the board’s last meeting on Sept. 8. At this meeting, however, many of the planned speakers were curtailed by the appearance of Shulsky at the meeting.

Shulsky served as principal of the school until April 2024, when she was placed on leave. The district conducted an investigation regarding accusations of misconduct, which led to the district accusing Shulsky of immorality, intemperance, cruelty and insubordination. She was terminated in a 9-0 decision Jan. 13.

However, acting Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe said in a July 17 opinion the district failed to prove any of the allegations against Shulsky were true and any accusations of misconduct against her were unfounded. She ordered Shulsky reinstated.

While facing continuous pressure from parents, the board voted Aug. 11 to appeal the order. However, on Sept. 2, superintendent Alfonso Angelucci informed parents Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ordered the district to reinstate Shulsky as principal of Moraine Elementary.

During Monday’s meeting, the board was unable to provide any further updates to parents due to the nature of the ongoing appeal.

Even with no update and Shulsky’s presence, some parents did not back down from speaking on the matter. One such parent, Amanda Bonetti, spoke for the group, who did not wish to speak out of fear of retaliation.

“Specifically, they express concern that their comments, being made in good faith as parents and volunteers, expose them to the threat of a defamation lawsuit,” Bonetti said.

Bonetti said parents, taxpayers and staff members should be able to express their opinions freely and the school should recognize the threat of retaliation.

Molly Klimek, another parent, spoke for the second time in a row to ask how to view the employee code of conduct and whether the code covers Shulsky’s actions.

“Has a policy or procedure been put into place in the case that this were to happen again to anybody with children? This should be written down, because if there’s not something written down, there’s room for error,” she said.

After the meeting, Shulsky declined to comment regarding the meeting or ongoing litigation between herself and the district.

The next Slippery Rock Area School Board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at Moraine Elementary School.