Salem — Continuing tension between the Board of Education and parents — and within the board itself — manifested itself again Monday night, with disagreement surrounding the filling of a board vacancy left by the departure of Democrat Margaret Caron.

A timeline originally agreed upon at the August regular meeting would have had the board conducting interviews and appointing a new member at Monday night’s meeting. But issues arose at a special meeting Aug. 28 with the board opinion split between only interviewing the applicant nominated by the Democratic Town Committee, Phil Teixeira, or interviewing both Teixeira and a second applicant, Republican Roland Trailor.

Those in favor of interviewing both applicants argued that public notices agreed upon at the August regular meeting had requested applications from any interested party, regardless of political affiliation. Those who supported appointing Teixeira argued that filling a Democratic seat with a DTC nominee would follow past precedent.

Monday night, many parents and residents spoke in support Teixeira’s appointment. Referencing ongoing accusations that the school board is out of touch with public sentiment, board members and residents said any action other than appointing Teixeira could worsen an already contentious relationship between the board and the public.

Teixeira also received support from Republican Town Committee Chairman Ed Chmielewski, who spoke during public comment, an act which further strengthened Teixeira’s standing for many on the board and in the audience.

“In normal circumstances, the public is who elects us to this board,” said board member and Democrat Sam Rindell. “I think it would be moving us backwards if we did anything other than appoint Phil to the board.”

Rindell’s sentiments were shared by Republicans Robert Green and George Jackson, while the other board members felt that the board should conduct interviews of both applicants before coming to a final decision.

The board decided not to take action on the appointment Monday, voting instead to hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday to focus on the issue.

In an email sent to parents and town representatives after Monday’s meeting, Salem resident and member of the Save Our Salem School Committee Diba Kahn-Bureau wrote, “What a sad night... The Salem (Board of Education) is out of touch and out of control. This is the (second) time that the (Board of Education) looked the other way and was against how the towns people felt about important issues.”

The special meeting Monday will be held in the Salem School Media Center.

j.hopper@theday.com

Twitter: @JessHoppa