*Editor’s note: The results of the vote to extend the district superintendent’s contract has been updated in this story. The resolution passed 5-1. Members of the audience loudly saying “No” while votes were cast led to the initial incorrect vote reported.

OLEAN — Members of the Olean City School District Board of Education voted Tuesday evening in a special meeting to extend the contract of Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris, despite the apparent disapproval of the spectators present and the fact that votes were still being cast down the hill in the Olean Intermediate Middle School to fill two open board positions.

The special meeting was held in the Olean High School Board of Education room instead of the auditorium, despite the dozens of members of the public who showed up to watch, several holding signs disapproving of the meeting and the board.

Some signs read “Ethics before contracts” and “Respect the people’s vote!”

Present for the meeting were board president Kelly Keller, who did not seek another term; Vice President Mary Hirsch-Schena, and board members Betty Burrows, Lee Filbert, Julio Fuentes and Rene Garrison. Kevin Stevens was not present.

Keller, Hirsch-Schena, Fuentes, Filbert and Garrison voted to extend Morris’ contract; Burrows voted no.

Also in the crowded room was Morris, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Irizarry and Business Administrator Jenny Bilotta.

After calling the meeting to order, holding the Pledge of Allegiance, a silent prayer and a vote to approve the agenda, Keller immediately called for the meeting to go into executive session, which lasted one hour.

When the meeting reconvened, the board went straight into the first item of new business, which was the contract extension for Morris.

At this point several members of the public present, one holding a sign that read “Fire her or we fire you,” expressed their displeasure at the move, with one woman speaking up to confront the board.

“I just want to say we are here to tell you that what is happening we don’t agree with. … Just listen to the people in this room. Please,” the woman said before being cut off by Keller, who informed the crowd there would be no public comment.

The motion was then made to approve the contract amendment for Morris.

The board then quickly went through the remaining action items, which included contract renewals for both Irizarry and Bilotta; a separation agreement for former East View Elementary Principal Steve Chartier, who resigned; and approval for the appointment of Dr. Sharon Huff to replace Chartier temporarily as a substitute administrator.

All motions were approved unanimously.

The board then again voted to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing employment matters.

After once again vacating the Board of Education room, many attendees expressed their frustration with the proceedings. Several expressed their anger directly to members of the board on their way out the door.

Timothy Sherlock, a candidate for one of the three board seats, said, “I think, you know, against the public opinion, not listening to the people, the board went ahead and made a decision unilaterally. Thankfully, we heard from two board members in opposition, and it was nice to hear them voice their concerns and listen to the people of the community. I wasn’t impressed with shutting down the community to not be heard.

“We have some major issues but the people have a chance still to vote, so hopefully we can change it with new board members.”

Board candidate Catharine Young, the former state senator who ran on a declared plan to move on from Morris, called the vote for Morris’ extension a “display of disdain for the community and a slap in the face to parents, teachers and the taxpayers. To not even allow public discussion was just outrageous.”

Board candidate Aubree Malick aded, “This was not a time-sensitive matter that needed to be voted on tonight. It was really underhanded.”

Candidate Alex Calbi said Tuesday’s action “completely disregarded the will of the people. No one could do anything about it, even as people are still voting to fill school board seats.”

Board candidate James DiBlasi said, “Out of all the challenges that the school district faces, it’s disappointing that the only thing they would call a special meeting for is this,” to extend a superintendent who faces so many questions regarding her administration.

“I just echo what Cathy said, that this really is a slap in the face of the community,” he said.

Morris, who has faced criticism over what many parents, teachers and community members say is rampant bullying and unruliness in the schools, declined a request for comment as she left the meeting.

Her base salary next school year will be nearly $210,000, with incremental increases to take effect in the subsequent three years.