Groton School Board Places Kadri On Leave

Superintendent Paul Kadri has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of his "interactions with and treatment of district employees" board members confirmed today.

The school board voted 8-0 Monday night to place Kadri on leave after a two-hour closed-door session. The action also bars Kadri from having contact with any school employee, board member or even stepping on school property.

Kadri was not present for all of the deliberations but was present for the vote, a board member said.

Mary Anne Butler, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, has been named acting superintendent while the investigation proceeds. All staff in the public schools are expected to receive an e-mail from School Board Chairwoman Kirsten Hoyt this morning.

The motion approved by the board is below:

"A motion to have an investigation conducted regarding the superintendent's interactions with and treatment of district employees. The superintendent will be placed on an administrative leave during the investigation.

"The superintendent will have no contact with any district employees and board members nor should he come on school district property until completion of the investigation. We authorize the board chair, in consultation with the school district attorney, to arrange for the services of an investigator."

School Board Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Gianacoplos said the board was told it could take two to three months to make those arrangements.

Kadri was hired in 2008, replacing James E. Mitchell, who retired after 38 years in the school district. Last summer, the board of education gave Kadri a "B+" on his overall evaluation and approved a one-year extension of his contract until June 30, 2014.

The board gave him an A- in educational leadership and organizational management, but a B- in personal and professional qualities and relationships. Board members said Kadri was an "aggressive, goal-oriented administrator", but had contributed to some divisiveness in local government.

Under the contract, Kadri is paid a base salary of $167,475.