A Dutchess County school board is facing criticism for ending a school board meeting over one parent's sign.

Arlington Central School District's school board meeting ended abruptly during public comment on Thursday because of a parent's sign.

The sign said, "Do as we say, not as we do," and featured photos of school officials without masks - allegedly on school property.

Jim Rhoda, of Pleasant Valley, says he planned to talk about unmasking children while using the sign.

Before he could get to the podium, school board officials asked him to get rid of the sign.  When he denied, saying it was his first amendment right, they ended the meeting. 

"To silence and shut down the meeting is not acceptable to me. I took great umbrage with that as an honorably discharged veteran with the Marine Corps. I swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic," he said.

The school district denied News 12's request for comment.