RAYMOND — Superintendent Jeannie Richards was placed on paid administrative lead by the Raymond School Board on Friday morning, but little other information has been provided.

“There have been some unresolved issues and concerns that don't seem to be improving so we've elected to pursue a consideration of removal,” board Chairman John Stewart said on Friday. “It involves legal issues, so I can't mention any details.”

Stewart declined to comment further on the reasons why Richards was placed on leave.

“I am not at liberty because there could be legal procedures pending,” Stewart said.

Richards was notified of the leave on Friday morning and was not on duty after 9 a.m., Stewart said.

Iber Holmes Gove Middle School Principal Ellen Small will be acting as interim superintendent.

Richards was named as part of a civil lawsuit last year seeking more than $1 million in damages over student racial harassment allegations in school.

Stewart said he does not expect Richards' leave to come up at the school board's next public meeting Sept. 19 because it is a personnel matter covered under the state's Right-to-Know law and has been handled in nonpublic session.

Other school board members reached on Friday evening deferred all comments to Stewart.