PARSHALL – Parshall School Superintendent Shane Sagert has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a second third-party investigation in three months.

According to school board minutes from a special meeting held on Dec. 1, the Parshall School District Board discussed an incident on Nov. 30, 2023, in which Sagert transported students to an event but left early due to a prior commitment without previously arranging a replacement driver to return the students home.

Athletic Director Michelle Hoff and Sagert spoke at the board meeting to discuss the events leading up to the incident and its aftermath. After public comment was heard, the board placed Sagert on paid administrative leave, pending the completion of an investigation.

According to minutes from the Sept. 18, 2023, special board meeting, the board previously had approved hiring an outside investigator to look into a complaint made against Sagert and Parshall Elementary School Principal Tricia Wheeling.

Parshall High School Principal Amber Cieslik confirmed to The Minot Daily News that Sagert was not available for comment and deferred to the new school board president, Jacobi Jarski, who replaced the outgoing president, Jay Clauson, at the beginning of the year. The district provided the meeting minutes and the third-party investigator’s reports after an open records request was made by The Minot Daily News.

The district provided two separate reports by Minot-based third-party investigator Katy Dahl, dated Dec. 8, detailing an extensive investigation into a complaint from former Parshall paraprofessional December Oster, alleging misconduct by Sagert and Wheeling. Oster’s complaint contained an array of allegations against Sagert and Wheeling, including that they had been in a workplace relationship that impacted the school’s working environment and their treatment of staff. This treatment allegedly included sexual and racial discrimination, creating fear of retaliation and other unprofessional behavior.

According to the report, Sagert and Wheeling denied to the investigator that they were in a relationship or had been in the past. However, Clauson is cited in the report saying that a romantic relationship did exist between the two, and that Wheeling had admitted to it. Clauson stated he directed their staff to bring any complaints about Wheeling directly to him instead of to Sagert.

Witnesses cited in the report told Dahl that “any younger, prettier teachers” were targeted by Wheeling, with one saying that if Sagert “likes you, she gets rid of you,” as the pair were not seen to be an exclusive couple.

Dahl determined that though there was debate over whether their relationship was ever romantic in nature, she found that “it is clear a relationship existed that was beyond supervisor/subordinate.”

“Therefore, based on a preponderance of the evidence, Supt. Sagert and Prin. Wheeling’s relationship more than likely impacted the work environment and treatment of staff in a negative manner,” Dahl wrote. “It is concerning that Supt. Sagert doesn’t appear to recognize the negative impact his relationship with Prin. Wheeling had on the staff, nor to recognize the negative impact Prin. Wheeling’s behavior had on the staff.”

Dahl found little to substantiate Oster’s claims of sexual discrimination, racial discrimination and fear of retaliation, despite several staff expressing they were afraid to come forward about various concerns and issues. However, Dahl stated she found it was substantiated that Sagert had exhibited a “failure to perform contractual duties without justification and that Wheeling’s conduct on multiple occasions had been “unprofessional, inappropriate, or otherwise concerning.”

“It is alarming that so many staff members are concerned about her behavior and have problems trusting her, some feeling uncomfortable and/or unsafe,” Dahl wrote. “It is also concerning that she appears to have been dishonest about the nature of her relationship with Supt. Sagert, and about her handling of staff matters including Ms. Oster’s end of Employment and discussing staff matters with others.”

Dahl concluded there was sufficient information to pursue a dismissal for cause against both Sagert and Wheeling and that formal reprimands should be pursued if dismissals did not occur.

Based on a review of board meeting minutes and the district’s website, the board has not pursued a dismissal against either Sagert or Wheeling.

New business at a special board meeting on Jan. 10 included a legal memo provided to board members on developing investigations, but the contents of the memo were only shared with board members, according to the minutes.

Jarski confirmed the investigation into the transportation incident has been completed and results are under seal for 60 days. Jarski also confirmed she placed Wheeling on administrative leave on Jan. 5. In January, the board voted to appoint Caroline Bluestone of New Town as interim superintendent.

Sagert and Wheeling could not be reached for comment.