DURANT, Iowa - For the second straight day, high school students in Durant protested the school district's decision to place Principal Monica Rouse on leave.

Rouse's departure last week, when she was escorted from Durant High School, has sparked complaints from parents. They say they still don't know why Duane Bark, superintendent of the Durant School District, removed the principal or who's in charge of their children's schools.

"There's never a reason," said Susi Weber, a parent with children at Durant Elementary School. "There's a paper put in front of people, and either you are resigning or you're fired. We've tried to talk to the board, but it does nothing."

Reached by phone, Bark said he would release a written

statement but make no further comments.

"Members of the public have asked questions about the absence of Mrs. Rouse, who is currently on leave. The district understands why the community desires to know more about her leave, because issues involving school administrators are naturally matters of public concern," the statement said.

It went on to say no other information could be released, because it involved a personnel matter. Dick Stoltenberg, school board president, said he could not comment because of confidentiality issues. Other school board members could not be reached.

Bark also did not say who is now serving as principal in any of the Durant schools, and Stoltenberg would not comment specifically on whether the board has taken any action on the situation involving Rouse.

When contacted Wednesday morning by phone, Rouse said she needed to talk to her lawyer before publicly commenting on the matter because of possible litigation.

Students held sit-ins during lunch and carried them into the hallways, some students said. It was unclear how many participated Wednesday, but those who did received truancies. An estimated 60 participated in protests Tuesday, despite efforts by leaders in the Durant School District to stop them. Officials locked doors to the auditorium, where students originally planned to stage the sit-in, students and parents said.

Middle school students say they are also planning a protest later this week.

Meika Jensen, an eighth-grader at Durant Middle School, said Bark met with middle school students Wednesday and told them teachers are not allowed to answer any questions related to the matter because of privacy laws. He said, however, they could ask Rouse their questions, but it was her decision whether to address them.

Students said many have opted to put posters saying, "Bring her back," on their lockers. Several parents said the community is getting together to make yard signs that will say, "We want our schools back."