Middle school principal placed on leave during internal investigation

LACONIA — Laconia Middle School Principal Aaron Hayward has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review, according to a letter sent Monday morning to staff and parents from Interim Superintendent Amy Hinds.

“This is a precautionary and neutral step that does not represent a disciplinary finding,” the letter read, in part. “It is taken to ensure that any matter brought to the District’s attention is reviewed fairly and reasonably.”

Hayward, when reached Monday morning, referred inquiries to the district’s administrative office. 

Interim Assistant Superintendent Lisa Hinds, no relation, will serve as acting principal of the middle school while Hayward remains on administrative leave, according to the letter, which notes the daily operations at the school will continue uninterrupted. 

“Because this is a confidential matter, I cannot share additional details,” the letter continued. “I appreciate your understanding and trust as we move forward with a process that prioritizes both fairness and student well-being.”

In closing, Amy Hinds directed questions regarding school operations to Lisa Hinds via email at lhinds@laconiaschools.org or by phone at 603-524-4632. Other questions should be directed to Amy Hinds by contacting the district office directly at 603-524-5710.

“The leave took effect at the start of the day today,” school board Chair LaToya Beck-Brown wrote in an email Monday morning, in response to questions regarding the nature and duration of Hayward’s leave. “Due to this being a personnel matter, all of the available information is included in the letter that went out to staff and parents.”  

It’s not clear whether Hayward is to be paid during his period of administrative leave, or how long the internal review is anticipated to take. 

"This is a confidential personnel matter. The district is following its policies and procedures to review the situation," Amy Hinds wrote Monday in an email. 

Hayward was hired to be the middle school principal in 2023, after serving on the school board from 2016 to 2022, including as chair of the board during his last year of service. 

He previously worked in the Shaker School District for over two decades, including three years as associate principal at Belmont High School.

Past reporting indicates his hiring as middle school principal was contentious at the time. Two members of the middle school principal search committee apparently resigned from their positions with the district and, according to school board member Laura Dunn, their resignations were a result of concerns regarding the integrity of the hiring process.

Hayward's mandated leave is the latest example of tumult within the school district’s leadership, not the first such occurrence this year. 

Former Interim Superintendent Bob Champlin resigned from his post, and the school board accepted the same, in June. He’d been on leave for a personal matter since mid-April of this year. 

Champlin had been serving in the interim role since August 2024, taking on the district’s top job after then-Superintendent Steve Tucker resigned unexpectedly. The board went on to extend Champlin’s term of service through the 2025-26 school year. 

Then-Assistant Superintendent Amy Hinds, who had been covering for Champlin since he initially took his leave of absence, has been serving as interim superintendent since his formal resignation, while the city school board searches for a new superintendent.