A beautiful new school on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation has a superintendent on administrative leave by order of the school board.

Frances Harris, who's in her first year at Wakpala, S.D., just across the state line on the reservation, is alleged to have breached her contract, along with several other allegations, and to have violated three codes of ethics for school administrators.

Harris is scheduled to return for a hearing to terminate her contract at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Wakpala school board room.

School attorney Tony Buckmeier, of Mobridge, S.D., said he couldn't comment on the precise nature of the allegations against Harris.

He said they would become public in court documents, if any action is eventually appealed to the circuit court in McLaughlin, S.D.

The school board's decision to put Harris on leave was made during a half-hour executive session on Jan. 26.

The board minutes say Harris breached her contract, has given a poor performance, is incompetent and has exhibited unprofessional conduct.

The board also alleges she violated three ethical codes for South Dakota administrators. The alleged violations are failing to maintain a professional relationship, free from vindictiveness and willful intimidation; failing to safeguard confidential information; and failing to accurately represent personal qualifications and the evaluation and recommendations of others.

Lisa Lomheim, a legal assistant with the South Dakota Department of Education, said Wakpala also would have the option of filing a complaint with the South Dakota Professional Administrators Practices and Standards Commission.

The complaint could lead to the revocation of Harris' certification. Lomheim said the commission also could choose to reprimand Harris, if a complaint is filed.

Harris did not return a phone call seeking comment.