HUMBOLDT — Craig Smith, Humboldt High principal, remains on paid administrative leave. Day-to-day operation of the school has been, and will continue to be, under the guidance of John Johnson, assistant principal.
K.B. Criss, superintendent of schools, confirmed at the conclusion of Monday night’s board meeting that Smith remained on administrative leave for unspecified reasons. He was suspended mid-December. Also, he said Johnson would continue as intern principal for the spring semester.
Seven minutes after the board meeting started, members excused themselves for a 45-minute executive session, including Criss. Extensions pushed the closed portion of the meeting to an hour and 40 minutes.
Midway through the closed session, local attorney Robert Johnson II was summoned and huddled with board members for several minutes.
The assumption was that Smith’s suspension was the topic. No action was taken afterward.
Two patrons — they said more were expected, but none showed — were at the board meeting and indicated they had questions about Smith’s suspension, but when told the closed portion would be lengthy and that any questions they had about non-elected personnel, of which Smith is, would fall on deaf ears, they left.
Kansas law permits governing bodies, such as boards of education, to discuss non-elected personnel in secret and puts no obligation on their members to respond in public to questions about non-elected employees.
In a letter Criss sent to parents on Dec. 16, he said the “administrative leave is a personnel matter and the district will have no further comment at this time. It is important that you understand that the situation involving Mr. Smith in no way compromises the welfare of students or the overall operation of the school.”
He also wrote: “Mr. Johnson is a strong, capable administrator, and has the full support and cooperation of the entire administrative team of USD 258, as well as the USD 258 school board.”
