Carmel Clay Superintendent Placed On Leave Pending Review

Carmel Clay Schools Superintendent Nicholas Wahl was placed on administrative leave Monday following an executive meeting of the school board.

Board President Layla Spanenberg declined to offer reasons behind the board’s decision. 

“The board is undertaking a thorough review of its district leadership and believes that its action today will enable it to complete this review more quickly and in a manner that respects the confidentiality of its employees’ personnel matters,” Spanenberg said at the start of a work session at the district office. “Because of these confidentiality concerns, the board will not make further comment on this until it has finished its review.”

Spanenberg said no one else has been placed on leave related to the review. The district's legal counsel will conduct the review. It is unknown how long the review will take, she said.

Wahl could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night.

Wahl was hired as Superintendent in August 2013 to lead the A-rated suburban district of around 16,000 students. 

His original contract offers an annual base salary of $195,000 plus a potential $23,400 each year in performance-based pay.

Previously, Wahl, was superintendent of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 in Hinsdale, Illinois Wahl unexpectedly resigned from that position, according to a news report, shortly before starting at Carmel. 

Spanenberg said parents should not be concerned about Wahl's leave.

Daily school corporation operations will be handled jointly by Amy Dudley, assistant superintendent of curriculum, and Roger McMichael, associate superintendent of business affairs. Both will serve as interim superintendents. 

The board approved the action as part of its consent agenda of a board work session. 

Contact WFYI education reporter Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org or call (317) 614-0470. Follow on Twitter: @ericweddle.