Marlboro School Board President Michael Connors confirmed that Elementary School Principal Patricia Walsh was put on Administrative Leave near the end of the 2021-22 school year.

According to Wikipedia, an employee may be placed on administrative leave when an allegation of misconduct is made against an employee, either by a co-worker, student, parent, an alleged victim or a police officer. During the leave, employers may investigate the situation before determining an appropriate course of action. Administrative leave does not in itself imply that an employee will be disciplined or that an allegation is credible, which is why pay and benefits are not discontinued. It simply allows the employer to investigate the incident, maintaining the employees status while at the same time removing them from work, eventually leading to either their return or dismissal.”

When asked about this matter concerning Walsh, Connors said, “We really can’t talk about it; it’s confidential at this point.” He stressed that Walsh is being paid and has not been fired from her position.

“She wasn’t walked out in handcuffs like some of the rumors. Patty has years of service in the district and has worked very hard to be respectful in our [school board’s] treatment of this, but right now it’s all out of our hands and we’re waiting for a decision from the people we pay,” he said.

Connors does not know when a decision by the district’s lawyers will be announced.

“The administrative leave is through March [2023], but anytime between now and then,” Connors said.

Walsh, when contacted by the Southern Ulster Times, declined to comment.

In August, the school board unanimously approved Jenna Thomas as the Principal of the elementary school. Her probationary period listed in the agenda began on August 19, 2022 and will run through August 19, 2026, with a salary of $130,000. No mention was made of Walsh at that meeting.