Connetquot High School students and their parents protested Tuesday evening after their principal took a sudden leave of absence.

At a school board meeting that followed the protest, some parents also said they want to see the school superintendent and school board president removed.

"I would like to see whoever the hierarchy is in the central office to leave our district," one parent said during the meeting.

In February, Principal Michael Moran stated in an email that he would take a leave of absence for the rest of the school year and would not return as high school principal for the 2023/2024 school year.

The school superintendent Dr. Lynda G. Adams stated in an email that Moran submitted the leave of absence request for personal reasons. She also said that since the matter is personal in nature, she asks the school community respect Moran's privacy.

Many parents believe the real reason for Moran's leave was his opposition to a ban of the Progress Pride flag.

"He did do what he was asked to do but the board sees that the anti-LGBTQ behavior is continuing because now they're saying it's his fault for not shutting it down," said Janice Kennedy-Fischer, a grandmother in the district and a former teacher.

They say the school board banned the Progress Pride flag from being hung in a classroom in October.

The Connetquot School Board President Jaclyn Napolitano-Furno addressed the accusations at the meeting.

"We are unable to respond to questions about personnel and will not do so moving forward," Napolitano-Furno said. "However, I can unequivocally state that there's absolutely no connection to Mr. Moran's stance on LGBTQ+ students and any personnel changes that may be considered."