MURDOCK — The principal of Charlotte County’s alternative high school has been removed from his position pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that he altered student grades, according to school district officials.

Ron Schuyler, who has been principal of the The Academy at Charlotte Technical Center for nearly a decade, has been reassigned to the district purchasing department and could face anything from a verbal reprimand to suspension or termination, pending the outcome of the case, according to Mike Riley, spokesman for Charlotte County Public Schools. In addition to the grade-altering accusations, Schuyler is under investigation for what superintendent Doug Whittaker called “interpersonal issues” with staff.

“We have not come to any conclusions,” Whittaker said. “This is standard protocol. It’s better for the employee when they are removed from an environment where there are others working that are involved in the issue.”

Riley said details of the case are still vague, but officials chose not to immediately suspend Schuyler, who has worked for the district since 1989.

Schuyler was reassigned Dec. 21, while students and staff were on holiday break. They returned Monday to find that Karen Laporte, director of secondary education for CCPS, had stepped in as the interim school principal for the duration of the investigation.

“Super­intendent Doug Whittaker has said he wants this done thoroughly and swiftly so as to not disrupt the school,” Riley said.

Riley said more details about the allegations will be released as soon as the investigation is complete.

Schuyler’s personnel file was not immediately available for review; however, human resources director Barbara Melanson said all of Schuyler’s evaluations have been good, and he has never had any prior disciplinary issues.

Schuyler could not be reached for comment.

Schuyler is the second Charlotte County educator in recent memory to face allegations of inappropriately changing grades.

Charlotte High School teacher Jeff Spires resigned in 2011 after a student accused him of selling grades. Spires had been suspended without pay and quit before the district could finish its investigation.

Email: mfavorite@sun-herald.com