St. Paul school officials confirmed Thursday night that the athletic director at Como Park High School is on unpaid administrative leave and that there is "an active police investigation" of unspecified allegations against him.
Ryan Vernosh, the district's director of communications, marketing and development, said he could not say why Mike Searles is on leave or to what the investigation pertains.
Como Park Principal Theresa Neal sent a letter to students' families Thursday telling them that "an internal review" led to "an allegation of staff misconduct." She said it "does not involve students."
Neal wrote that the employee was put on leave Dec. 16, "which is standard practice while the investigation continues." Neal said the investigation and privacy laws prevented her from saying anything else about the situation.
"I know we have faced our share of challenges this year. Together, as one school community, we can get through anything. Thank you for supporting your child and Como Park Senior," she wrote.
STAFF REPORT
