Principal reinstated then put back on leave hours later

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A high school principal who was placed on leave amid an investigation was reinstated only to be placed on leave again.

Evergreen Public Schools on Thursday placed Mountain View High Principal Matt Johnson on paid leave for sending an email to staff saying the complaints in the investigation were not supported with credible evidence, The Columbian reported.

Bill Oman, the district’s senior director of secondary education, said that statement was inaccurate because the investigation did identify some concerns that need to be addressed. The district first placed Johnson on leave March 16 pending an independent investigation of staff complaints.

Oman said Johnson will be on leave now to “investigate the impact” of his email.

Evergreen spokeswoman Gail Spolar said the district was not aware of Johnson’s email to staff Wednesday, nor was the messaging reviewed by the district before being sent.

Evergreen Education Association president Bill Beville said Thursday that no formal grievances were filed against Johnson by the teachers union, but added the association and the district plan to move forward with some ways to “improve the culture at Mountain View High School.”