Boulder Valley Schools Superintendent Bruce Messinger placed on leave amid investigation

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. – Boulder Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Bruce Messinger has been placed on paid administrative leave by the district’s school board amid an ongoing investigation.

An email sent to Boulder Valley School District staff by its school board Wednesday morning said that Messinger was put on leave “pending the outcome of an investigation of a personnel matter.” It said it expected the investigation into Messinger would take around 30 days.

“Please keep in mind that the leave is being made to help facilitate the integrity of our investigation,” the email said. “It does not indicate any determination of misconduct upon the employee involved.”

Messinger confirmed the investigation to Denver7 and that he was put on leave. He said he couldn’t talk about the nature of the investigation, citing its confidentiality.

But he said he hoped for a “speedy” investigation and that he was cooperating fully, adding that he is “confident he will return to work.”

The school board says it has reached a deal with former district Assistant Superintendent for Operations Joe Sleeper to act as interim superintendent during the investigation and for “as long as may be necessary,” according to the email.

“Each of us on the board appreciates that this news may be unsettling,” the board’s email to staff says. “However, we are confident that you will continue to make the well being [sic] and learning of all students your first priority as you have always done.”

Messinger took over as superintendent of the district on July 1, 2011 after 14 years as superintendent of the school district in Helena, Montana. Prior to that, he worked in Weld County School District 6 for 11 years.