Have any of these parents considered the possibility that Mr. Rausenberger doesn't want the circumstances surrounding his "disappearance" to be made public?

I've known Tim for quite a few years. He is a fine upstanding individual. It would be a great loss to the Mahwah music program if he does not return. I am sure in the end he will be back.

The goal of the parents is not to learn the circumstances of Mr. Rausenberger's "leave". The Board has obviously entered into some sort of legal process regarding this matter. We, as parents of Tim's students, are trying to understand what the expected duration of this process will be so that we can make arrangements for our children's musical development. Tim is the private instructor of many Mahwah music students. It is Honor Band audition season. These students deserve to know if a resolution is possible shortly, or that they must seek audition preparation elsewhere. Instead of providing the parents and students with some guidence on this simple question of time frame, the Board has chosen to hide behind "no comment" , and remind us of our ability to express our dissatisfaction in the voting both. I believe that it should be possible for the Board to follow their legally required procedure while helping the students and families that they serve navigate a difficult situation. I am disapointed that so far they have chosen not to do so.

While I understand the parents concerns about this situation, I have to side with the board on this one. In many personnel cases, if someone gives out too much personal information they can be held liable and the lawsuit will me costly to the people of this town. The school board as elected officials are tasked with handling these situations with the guidance of legal council. Lets trust that they are doing the right thing here. In time after all is said and done everyone will eventually know what has happened. I hope it is a good situation for all involved at the end but please be patient.

“From what we can piece together…it appears that Rausenberger may have made some inappropriate comments...while dismissing students from marching band,”
Your are attempting to invade into someone privacy based on heresay.
Perhaps Mr.R has a drinking or gambling problem and chose to seek help. Perhaps he is ill and is getting treatment. I don't know and have no interest in finding out if he does not want to share that info with us.
The board is doing the right thing by not disclosing ANY information. REMEMBER!! He is on leave of absence! He is entitled to it and you have no right to DEMAND more information.

what happens if all these crazy allegations are posted
and you find out he's touring with Carlos Santana

You are correct, although as a former MHS band member who still keeps in touch with many current students, I can say that the situation as I understand it is very similar to the event described in this article. The only reasons I have not been to these meetings to support Mr. R is that from what I have heard about the event in question, it is something I would not want to support. I also think Mr. R will be back soon, since MHS hasn't hired any new band directors in at least the past 10 years. Also I think MHS values its veteran instructors, but it will come down to how the board interpret the events that have happened.

I think that the majority of us attended the meeting to ensure that the board knows what a special teacher we believe Mr. R. to be. We also want to make sure that the event is investigated throughly and fairly and that the consequences are appropriate to the transgression. I completely understand why they can't give details of the events in question.

It's a shame that all teachers are not treated equally!! Mr. R is not the only teacher that should have been given a "leave of absence".