Burroughs principal is being reinstated

Burroughs' Tim Cadotte was placed on paid leave after a confrontation with a Minneapolis School Board member, who accused him of racism..

By PATRICE RELERFORD, Star Tribune

Last update: May 1, 2009 - 10:37 PM

A popular southwest Minneapolis principal who was placed on paid administrative leave after a confrontation with a school board member will be back at school Monday, Minneapolis school district officials announced Friday.

During a visit to the school in late April, board member Chris Stewart, who is black, accused Burroughs Community School Principal Tim Cadotte, who is white, and the entire school of being racist, parents said, due to opposition to a plan to reorganize the district in response to declining enrollment and budget deficits. Cadotte and Stewart exchanged words, parents said, and days later, Cadotte was placed on leave.

"I'm just looking forward to returning to Burroughs and the fine work we do there," Cadotte said during a phone interview Friday night.

Minneapolis public schools officials' decision to reinstate Cadotte came four days after more than 200 parents, students, community members and a state senator met in a park across the street from the school to show support for the embattled principal.

Cadotte was placed on paid administrative leave on April 21. On Friday, district officials remained tight-lipped about the incident, citing data-practices laws. Parents learned about Cadotte's reinstatement in a letter the school sent home with students Friday afternoon.

Stan Alleyne, Minneapolis public schools' director of communications, wouldn't confirm whether the district's investigation was complete. "I really can't comment about an internal investigation."

Cadotte said he was informed of the district's decision during a brief meeting at district headquarters Friday morning.

"It's my understanding that there will be a formal meeting [when the investigation is complete]," Cadotte said. "But I've never done anything like this before so I don't know what that means."

State Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, spoke at the rally for Cadotte and is one of seven politicians who sent a letter Monday to board Chair Tom Madden calling for Cadotte to be reinstated as soon as possible. Stewart declined to comment and Madden did not return calls Friday night.

Dibble said he wasn't aware of the decision prior to receiving a call from a reporter. He said the decision was good news.

"I hadn't heard a word, which is appropriate," Dibble said. "I didn't expect to be super involved. I was just responding to what I knew about Tim, which is that he's a highly successful principal with a tremendous amount of community support."

Patrice Relerford • 612-673-4395

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