The superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools was placed on administrative leave amid an investigation by the Oklahoma State Department of Investigation. >> Download the KOCO 5 AppSuperintendent Aaron Espolt was notified last week that the agency was conducting the investigation, but OSDE did not provide the district with any details regarding the investigation, according to Clif Harden, the president of the Shawnee Board of Education, in a letter to families on Monday afternoon. The Shawnee Board of Education said it had no reason to believe that the investigation relates to Espolt's time at the school district. Espolt was placed on leave with pay in compliance with an OSDE rule that states employees must be placed on leave if they are under investigation. The superintendent will remain on leave until OSDE's investigation is completed or withdrawn, or until the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education decides to end the administrative leave. "The Board respects the rule of law, and its action in placing Dr. Espolt on Administrative Leave is in compliance with OSDE rules. We have full confidence in Assistant Superintendent Dr. Teresa Wilkerson as she steps in to lead SPS until further notice," Harden said in the message to families. Top Headlines The early Labor Day deals at Walmart include price slashes on AirPods, air fryers and more Investigation opened into Cleveland County Detention Center inmate's death Ryan Walters to investigate after Edmond student says he wasn't allowed to fly American flag Vacant Oklahoma City hotel catches fire again, crews battle to put blaze out