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Center School Principal Sue Hinton may not return this fall.

The Star learned Tuesday that Hinton has been the subject of an investigation. She could not be reached for comment.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson, who is vacationing in Idaho, confirmed Tuesday by phone that Hinton is on paid administrative leave. He wouldn’t confirm that she will not return to her position this fall, but word that she had already cleaned out her office was circulating in the community this week.

“Sue is on paid administrative leave, and I have a meeting scheduled with her this Thursday after I return from vacation,” Carlson stated.

He said that he has discussed the investigation of Hinton with members of the school board. Carlson wouldn’t say what the subject or range of the investigation was.

Hinton came to the district in 1998, and this would have been her 13th year as principal in the district. She came here from Sequim, Wash., where she had been principal at Cape Flattery School District.