Trustees of the Lakeland School Board have placed Superintendent Rusty Taylor on paid administrative leave for the remainder of his two-year, $156,000 per-year contract.

The decision, which went into effect Monday, was announced Tuesday "on the advice of legal counsel," the board said in a communication to Lakeland parents, staff and community members.

The board unanimously voted not to renew Taylor's contract after a long executive session March 18 and unanimously voted to relieve him of his duties Monday evening after another long executive session. Taylor will be paid in a single lump sum, unless decided otherwise, and will work with the board clerk and legal counsel to draft a written separation agreement for the board's review.

"We understand this decision may create questions regarding the future of the Lakeland Joint School District," the board said in the announcement. "We want to assure you the board is committed to ensuring a safe, professional and successful learning and working environment for both students and staff. As this is a personnel matter, we cannot provide further details at this time. We appreciate your patience while we navigate this situation on behalf of the district."

Trustees appointed Assistant Superintendent Jake Massey to serve as the interim superintendent. Massey previously served as the principal of Garwood Elementary School.

"Mr. Massey has the full trust and confidence of the board of trustees to make decisions regarding the daily operations of the district," the board said. "We ask that our teachers and staff continue to demonstrate our educational and community goals as we move forward with the remaining 2025-2026 school year."

The board hired Taylor to the position July 1. He replaced longtime Lakeland teacher and administrator Lisa Arnold, who served as superintendent for three years during which the district struggled with levy failures. Arnold's predecessor, Becky Meyer, left the district in 2020 after a split board failed to extend her contract. Chair Michelle Thompson and Vice Chair Ramona Grissom have served on the board throughout these leadership changes.

Taylor told The Press he is disappointed with this decision because he loves Lakeland.

"It is a wonderful district with wonderful people in it," he said. “I have truly enjoyed working with the Lakeland District and the staff and the students and parents."

He said bottom line, he wishes it would have worked out better.

"I didn't break any laws, I didn’t break any policies; I'm a rule follower," he said. "I truly enjoyed the time I was there. I'm truly disappointed at the end result.

"I wish Lakeland the very best."

According to Idaho Education News reporting, Thompson said an “accumulation of events” led to the decision to place Taylor on administrative leave, which was made after his annual employee review. She said Taylor was never under investigation for any specific incident.

“There was nothing nefarious or evil,” Thompson said in the Idaho Ed News article.

She cited employment protections as she declined to give specifics.

“It was a bad fit,” Thompson said. “Mr. Taylor agrees with that.”

Thompson told The Press via email the district will move forward.

"It is an unfortunate position that we are in; however, we navigate this with the confidence of our entire administrative team," she said. "The decision was not made lightly."

Regarding a new plant facilities levy request being announced at the same time the superintendent is placed on paid leave, Thompson said this is significant given the reality that no school district is provided funding for maintenance of the buildings purchased with tax dollars.

"The plant facilities levy allows us to show our community what their tax dollars have paid for previously, what their tax dollars will pay for today and what their tax dollars will pay for it in the future," she said.

The board plans to open applications for the superintendent position in the coming weeks.

“As Chair Thompson said (in the Idaho Ed News article), speaking for the board and not for me, it was a bad fit," Taylor said.

He said he has high standards, high character and strong core values.

"I try to be a good guy, and more importantly I try to do what’s best for kids," Taylor said. “I work for kids first, and I’m going to continue that."

    Thompson