Board Member Paul Sandelin made the motion to put Lingen on paid leave for the remainder of her contract and authorize Board Chair Mike Clasen to place a letter in Lingen's file regarding the decision. Board Member John Lueck seconded the motion.

The decision concluded a five-hour-long special board meeting scheduled Friday. The board held a closed session discussion regarding a "personnel evaluation," according to the agenda.

The meeting was closed per Minnesota Statutes 13D.05 on advice of Kevin Rupp, attorney with Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, according to Board Clerk Kim Bolz-Andolshek. According to his company's website, Rupp practices in employment and labor law including discipline and discharge of public employees.

Rupp confirmed that a complaint was made against Lingen, but said he can't categorize the complaint. Lingen was not available for comment Tuesday afternoon.

According to Minnesota law, a public body can close a meeting for several reasons - one of which is for preliminary considerations of allegations or charges against an individual subject to its authority. Also, a board can close a meeting for a performance evaluation, summarizing its conclusions at its next open meeting.

Friday's meeting was continued in a four-hour meeting on Monday morning. During that meeting Board Member David Kennedy made a motion to appoint Pequot Middle Level Principal Randy Hansen as interim superintendent, until one is hired. The motion was seconded by Lueck and approved 6-1 (Shelley Cook against.)

The board had previously hired a search group, ADM Group, to assist the board in filling the slot for superintendent.

In a press release sent out Monday afternoon, the board announced that Lingen was placed on administrative leave for the remainder of her contract with the district.

Clasen would not elaborate on the press release or say if any allegations had been made against Lingen.

The board will meet on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Middle Level activity room. Planned for the tentative agenda is discussion on the district's budget, personnel issues, and how the board will handle the transition between superintendents, according to Bolz-Andolshek.

The administrative leave brings to an end the two-year contract Lingen had with the district. In February the board approved a letter from Lingen waiving her contract's renewal provision and acknowledging that her contract would expire June 30.

This is the third two-year superintendent position for Lingen. Prior to becoming Pequot Lakes superintendent in 2004, Lingen was superintendent of the International Falls district from 2002-04 and superintendent of Caledonia Schools from 2000-02.