Duluth schools superintendent placed on leave for investigation

Duluth school district Superintendent I.V. Foster was placed on paid administrative leave late Monday as an investigation was initiated into allegations against him.

The move by the Duluth School Board came in a resolution passed at 9:30 p.m., after a 90-minute closed door session.

Board members declined to say what the allegations were about or who made them.

“We can’t talk about the nature of the allegations at all,” said Board Clerk Tim Grover.

Foster was not at the meeting. Reached by cell, he said he had an idea what prompted the action, but declined comment.

“Without knowing what they discussed or even hearing this news from anyone, I’m not going to comment. It would be speculation right now.”

The administrative leave was effective as of the vote. The measure passed 5-0, with board members Gary Glass and Art Johnston abstaining.

Board chair Judy Seliga Punyko said she would bring the resolution to Foster today.

Assistant Superintendent Bill Gronseth will serve as interim superintendent while the investigation is conducted by the Minneapolis law firm of Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney. The firm represents the school board.

Foster was chosen April 30 from three finalists to lead the Duluth school district and assumed his duties on July 1. He was awarded a three-year contract with a base pay of $173,765. He previously was superintendent of the Prairie-Hills K-8 school district in Markham, Ill., about 20 miles south of Chicago.

Staff writer Jana Hollingsworth contributed to this story.

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