BRISTOL – Newfound Area School District Superintendent Dr. Marie Ross, who was hospitalized last Saturday with what was initially described as a stroke, is taking a leave of absence, according to the school board.

Her absence, which could be 30-60 days in duration or more, may necessitate an appointment of an acting or interim certified superintendent for the district to remain compliant with state law, said Vincent Paul Migliore of Bridgewater, the school board's chairman.

"We are announcing today that (Ross) is expected to take a leave of absence for personal reasons after a sudden illness caused her to be hospitalized,” Migliore said. “We anticipate this leave to be of an undetermined period at this point, but may be for 30 to 60 days in duration, according to her husband and spokesperson, Sherman Ross."

Ross and her husband were visiting family in Maryland last Saturday when Ross fell ill. She was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., where she has been listed in stable condition, Migliore said.

The N.H. Department of Education has been notified of the situation and is working with the school board and the district staff to assure district operations continue “unimpeded” in Ross's absence, Migliore said.

The board held a special meeting on Monday to address the matter and continues to monitor school operations, “knowing that it may be necessary to appoint an acting or interim certified superintendent to remain compliant with state law,” Migliore said.

"We know Dr. Ross realizes this step is necessary, and are confident that there are options both within the district and throughout the professional community to ensure this is the case. In the meantime, we hope to see Dr. Ross return to us as soon as she deems it possible to do so," he said.

Cards, get-well messages, and best wishes (but no flowers at the request of the hospital) can be sent to Ross at Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans St., Baltimore, Md. 21287.

dseufert@newstote.com