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MORGANTON -- An intense Burke County School Board meeting led to police calls on Tuesday.
Nearly 200 people showed up at the meeting in support of current Superintendent David Burleson, while four members of the school board continue searching for his replacement.
Those same board members ousted Burleson, even though he has a year left on his contract.
"Anymore gestures and you will be removed from the building," School Board Chair Tracy Norman said to the packed audience at the meeting.
It didn't take long for the threats or phone calls to police.
Norman made a call and so did Assistant Superintendent Rick Sherrill, trying to remove parent Angie Lail.
"She hasn't done anything. She hasn't interrupted this meeting at all," a woman in the crowd said.
"What did you do?" NewsChannel 36 asked.
"Nothing," Lail said.
Sherrill says Lail was loud in the hall, but the crowd disputed that claim. Morganton police kept the peace.
"They have the authority; if they want you to leave they're going to tell you to leave," a Morganton officer said. "Once it's done you have to leave. If you don't it will be trespassing."
The tension erupted because of the ouster of Burleson.
"It's an outrage," said parent Kim Smith. "They (the school board) don't listen to the voices of the community."
Supporters of Burleson are also upset at the cost. Board members say the initial cost to taxpayers for a new superintendent search is $9,000 plus expenses.
The board hopes to make a decision by Aug. 17 and have a new superintendent start no later than Oct. 1.
Burleson will be in court next week trying to stop that.
One of the lawsuits against the school board says this is a waste of taxpayer money because two superintendent salaries will be paid at the same time.
