MARSHALL — The principal of Marshall Middle School has been placed on leave while an investigation is being conducted, Marshall Public Schools officials said.

MPS Superintendent Jeremy Williams said Friday that MMS Principal Mary Kay Thomas was on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Williams said he could not comment on the reason for the investigation, but did say that there is no pending criminal or legal action in connection with it.

Williams confirmed that the investigation was the topic of a closed meeting of the Marshall School Board on Monday evening. Minnesota open meeting laws allow the board to hold closed meetings in order to discuss allegations about a person subject to the board’s authority. On Monday, Williams said he could not say what the allegations were or which staff member was being discussed, but he did say MPS was not involved in any pending legal action connected to them.

While the investigation involving Thomas is going on, Marshall High School Principal Brian Jones will also be serving as interim principal at MMS, Williams said.