The new superintendent of the Harmony School District has been placed on administrative leave.

The Harmony School Board placed Superintendent Joseph Hundeby on administrative leave with pay Monday at a special meeting.

Hundeby assumed the position in August, replacing Tim Peterson. Hundeby also serves as Harmony’s high school/middle school principal.

Minutes from Monday’s meeting say discussion could have gone into closed session, but Hundeby said he had “nothing to hide,” and the meeting was open.

Board president Dennis Grossman recommended placing Hundeby on leave until an investigation can be completed, and a motion was made by board member Bill Rice.

It was seconded by board vice president Tracy Hudson. The motion passed 5-0.

The reason for Hundeby’s leave and the nature of the investigation was not disclosed.

Grossman, Rice and board member Tina Denley did not return messages left at their homes, and Hudson declined comment. School board member Cody Warth does not have a listed phone number.

Hundeby also could not be reached for comment.

Great Prairie Area Education Agency Chief Administrator Joe Crozier said the school district has contacted the agency for an interim superintendent. Crozier said he is taking the role at this time.

“I will help them with day-to-day operations of the school district,” Crozier said. He added the elementary principal is certified for K-12 and could act as high school/middle school principal if needed.

During the 2006-07 school year, Hundeby served as superintendent and principal of K-12 schools for Austin Area Catholic Schools in Austin.

Norm Blaser, development director for AACS, said he could not discuss why Hundeby left AACS during the school year because it was a personnel issue.

“I can tell you Mr. Hundeby worked for us for a period of time. I believe he was paid for the entire school year,” Blaser said.

According to a story from the Van Buren County Leader-Record posted on the school’s Web site, Hundeby is a native of Zumbrota, Minn. He graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College and received his master’s and specialist degrees from the University of Minnesota. Hundeby, 43, is married and has three children.

Hundeby received a two-year contract at Harmony after beating out three other candidates for the job, according to the story on the Web site.