Principal placed on leave because of messaging allegations with student

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Doniphan principal is on administrative leave as police investigate allegations regarding a former student.

Doniphan Police Chief Mark Rodgers said Saturday he could not provide many details because it is part of an ongoing investigation.

"We're conducting an investigation into inappropriate messaging between a school employee and a (former) student. It is a principal," Rodgers said.

Rodgers said further information would not be available until the investigation had been reviewed by the Ripley County prosecutor.

The district is cooperating fully with local law enforcement, Dr. Jennifer Snyder, district superintendent, said Saturday.

The employee will remain on administrative leave until the matter is resolved, she said.

"In order to protect the privacy of those individuals, the district cannot provide further details about the incident, the person or the student involved," Snyder said.

Authorities are investigating whether the communication occurred after the student had left the district or whether it occurred while the student was enrolled in Doniphan schools, she said.

Snyder said she could not release how the allegations came to light.