Not ready to announce what board members have been discussing in recent closed session meetings, the Niles Community Schools released a statement Tuesday saying its primary objective remains improving student learning.

The statement, put out by the school’s public relations firm, comes one day after the Niles Board of Education met in a closed session to review attorney/client privileged information.

“The Niles Community Schools Board of Education continues to discuss a variety of personnel matters that are confidential at this time,” Kathy Zeider, board president, said in the statement. “When these matters are resolved, the board will communicate to the school community as appropriate. As many in our community may know, Dr. (Richard) Weigel (Niles’ superintendent) has been on sick time for the last few weeks. During Dr. Weigel’s absence, his duties are being divided among the central administration staff, with Director of Personnel John Tanke taking the lead. We appreciate the continued support of the school community as we strive to achieve our primary objective — improving student learning.”

Monday’s closed session was the second in less than a week. The board also met in closed session during a special meeting Thursday to discuss a personnel matter.

With wide-ranging rumors about the purpose of the meetings circulating throughout the city, at least 70 people attended Monday’s meeting. The crowd had the meeting room filled to capacity, so some citizens were turned away at the door.

Monday’s closed session lasted about 50 minutes, while Thursday’s went nearly two hours.

The board took no action after either closed session.

Zeider said she couldn’t comment as to whether or not these two closed sessions were related to one another.

All members of the seven-person board were present at Monday’s meeting except Mark Wortham. Two attorneys representing the school district also attended the session.

Weigel, who attends the majority of school board meetings, did not attend Thursday’s special meeting or Monday’s regular meeting.

The board also recessed to a closed session at its Feb. 10 meeting. Administrators and officials have declined to comment on the reasons for the meetings and whether or not any of the sessions are related.