East Central Reporter

In a letter dated June 21, 2023, the Paris Union School District 95 School Board Chairman placed Superintendent Jeremy Larson on paid administrative leave following an ISBE Audit, an FBI search of his residence and a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena for records/testimony.

He was also prohibited from being on any school district property or at any school district function without express written permission.

Dear Dr. Larson:

Please be advised that until further notice you are being placed on paid administrative leave pursuant to Board Policy 5:240 Professional Personnel – Suspension as the Board of Education investigates the final letter related to the ISBE audit, information related to the grand jury subpoena received by the Board of Education, and the search of your residence by federal agents. Due to the nature of the findings in the ISBE audit and the subpoena / search, you shall remain on paid administrative leave while an investigation into these matters can be conducted. While you are on paid administrative leave, it will be your responsibility to provide the Board of Education and unit office with your contact information in case we need to reach you for any reason.

Due to the nature of these allegations, and the uncertainty of the outcome of this matter, you are not to be on school district property or at any school district activity or event without my express written permission.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knoepfel PresidentBoard of Education

School Board Policy 5:240, found here, authorizes “the board” to place a professional employee on paid administrative leave when:

“The Board or Superintendent or designee may suspend a professional employee with pay: (1) during an investigation into allegations of disobedience or misconduct whenever the employee’s continued presence in his or her position would not be in the School District’s best interests, (2) as a disciplinary measure for misconduct that is detrimental to the School District as defined above, or (3) pending a Board hearing to suspend a teacher without pay.”

We have asked the school district if there was a special or emergency meeting held to authorize the board chairman to take the action he took in placing the superintendent on paid administrative leave.

They have not responded to our inquiry.

This story was originally published by Edgar County Watchdogs. Read the original HERE.