Elementary principal placed on leave

May 06, 2008 10:17 pm

— By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
A Joplin elementary principal was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday in response to a school district investigation.
Superintendent Jim Simpson said Evan Mense, principal of Cecil Floyd Elementary, was placed on leave because of an investigation into unspecified behaviors and alleged neglect of duty. No students were involved in the complaints, Simpson said.
“There is an investigation being undertaken, per our policy,” Simpson said. “Several staff members made complaints and allegations that triggered the investigation.”
Simpson said he could not elaborate on the alleged behaviors.
Two “school resource (police) officers” were at the school Tuesday to ensure a smooth transition, Simpson said.
“We wanted to make sure the school had a good environment today,” he said. “We didn’t want anyone to let their emotions or tempers flare.”
Brian Lewis, of the Joplin Police Department, said Mense is not under investigation for any criminal activity. He was not arrested and left the building under his own volition, Lewis said.
“We didn’t take a report, we didn’t cite anything, and no arrests were made,” Lewis said. “If officers were there, it wasn’t because they were dispatched in response to a call.”
Simpson said the investigation is continuing. Depending on the results, Mense could resume his duties as principal, he said.
Mense has been employed with the school district for 18 years. According to Missouri court records, Mense has no criminal or civil judgments filed against him.
Mense has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached by the Globe for comment.
Assistant Principal Elaina Edman will assume leadership of the school until the matter is resolved, Simpson said.
“This is an internal staff matter,” Simpson said. “The district will deal with that in a fair manner and be as open as we can be.”