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The Albert Lea school board voted unanimously Monday to allow Superintendent Ron Wagner’s employment contract to expire at the end of June and to place him on paid administrative leave until then, effective Tuesday.

School Board Chairwoman Kim Nelson, who appeared via Zoom from Arizona, said the motion was made after conversations with legal counsel and Wagner.

Board member Dave Klatt seconded the motion.

“This motion supports the district’s and Superintendent Wagner’s ability to move forward,” Nelson said. “I’m appreciative of the commitment Mr. Wagner has provided our district since his appointment in July 2022 and wish him well in future endeavors.”

She said Wagner will make himself available as needed during the transition.

Nelson said both the district and Wagner will be going a different direction in the future and said she could not provide any other information about why the decision was made because it was private personal data.

Other board members and administrators after the meeting seemed surprised at the action and said they had not been made of Nelson’s motion ahead of time.

When asked by Board Member Neal Skaar if Wagner had any comment about the action, Wagner referred to a video shown earlier in the meeting that showcased many of the good things happening in the district that will be made public in the next few weeks.

“From the board members to the community to the staff and the students — they’re amazing,” Wagner said.

He said he moved to Albert Lea 2 1/2 years ago with his wife and centered themselves in the community.

“I enjoyed every bit,” he said.

He thanked his wife for standing by him, noting they have gone through a lot with the district’s budget adjustments and the reconfiguration of the district, mainly in Brookside Education Center.

“But on the other side of this is the amazing students that we have each and every day that walk through out doors,” he said. “To them, they are my why.”

He thanked the 3,500 students in the district, who he said inspired him every day.

The superintendent’s 2025-28 contract had been on the agenda in October but ultimately was removed at request of some of the board members and others in the community who wanted to wait until any newly elected board members would be in place.

At that time, Nelson formed an ad hoc committee to discuss a proper evaluation tool for the superintendent moving forward.

Looking ahead, Nelson said the district will work with the district’s Human Resources department and the Minnesota School Board Association about next steps for an interim or new superintendent. A report will be given at the board’s first meeting in January about what the district has been advised and how to move forward.