New Principal at Minneapolis School Put on Leave

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A newly hired principal at Washburn High School in Minneapolis is already on leave amid allegations that he tampered with state assessment tests.

Minneapolis school officials say Patrick Exner is on administrative leave while the district investigates allegations that surfaced this week. An anonymous email to state and district officials claimed he altered exam answers for three students while working at a charter school in Hopkins.

District spokesman Stan Alleyne says the claims are just allegations and are not assumed to be true, but the district will do its due diligence.

Exner declined to comment, referring questions to the district.

Exner came to Washburn after the reassignment of principal Carol Markham-Cousins in April. She was moved after several high profile incidents that district officials claimed were a distraction for students.