On Monday night, the Poland Board of Education officially hired Craig Hockenberry as the new district's superintendent at a special school board meeting.

While it was a room filled with encouraging claps and smiles, just across the street was a recall petition. It was being signed by hundreds of community members in the district to encourage the board to reconsider their pick.

"We're just saying to pause and reengage the community as you said you were going to from the beginning," said Adam Turner, a Poland dad facilitating the petition. 

Some community members are frustrated the school board wasn't more transparent with them, claiming the hiring process did not include public forums as the board promised.

The board told 21 News they hired a search firm of consultants but also selected teachers, union members and students to nominate representatives as community stakeholders.

"We tried everything we possibly could to involve people in the process and try to communicate," said Gregg Riddle, Poland School Board President. "We did a lot of opportunities for the Finding Leaders Personal to interview as many people in the community as possible."

"I thought this was a very transparent process," said Craig Hockenberry, the new Poland Superintendent. "I don't know any of the details that went on. That's between the board and the community. I do know this, what you're getting out of me is complete transparency: open, honest and engaging."

Other than confidential executive sessions, the board says they were clearly transparent with the community throughout the hiring process.

While the board is aware about the petition, they tell 21 News they are firm with their decision in selecting Hockenberry.