CBS19 News at 6: ACPS explains administrative leave as questions grow

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (#CBS19NEWS) -- Albemarle County Public Schools officials are addressing questions about administrative leave after school board member Jim Dillenbeck said 17 employees, including three principals, are currently on leave. ACPS Director of Communications Jason Grant said the school division cannot confirm that number because he does not have access to that data. Grant said the school division also cannot disclose why individual employees are on leave because those matters are private personnel matters. “I understand there’s going to be a desire and a want to know a lot more facts and details about things, but again, that is the private matter of the employee,” Grant said. Grant emphasized that being placed on administrative leave does not, by itself, mean an employee has done anything wrong. “If there’s an investigation, if there’s an allegation made against a staff member, or there’s a situation that occurs that requires investigation, having that person on leave is not a discipline to them, it’s not a punishment, nor is it any kind of admission of any wrongdoing in any way,” Grant said. Grant said removing an employee from the workplace can allow the school division to review a situation without interference. He said what happens next depends on the outcome of the review. “When there’s no finding out of that, then they come back and they’re in the building. If there is a finding, depending what those findings are, then there could potentially be disciplinary matters,” Grant said. The explanation comes as students at Monticello High School walked out this week in support of Principal Dr. Beth Costa, who is one of three Albemarle County principals currently on extended leave. “At Monticello, we have a substitute principal that’s there, so there’s an active point of contact to be able to help funnel those questions that come in,” Grant said. ACPS has not confirmed whether any of the employees currently on administrative leave are under investigation or facing disciplinary action.