The chair of the Franklin School board confirmed Thursday that the principal of Franklin High School is on administrative leave.

Board Chair M. Katharine Fuller said she was notified by an E-mail sent from Principal Jo Ellen Divoll that Alice Rogers-Farris has been placed on administrative leave and that Assistant Principal Kelly Marks will be acting principal.

Fuller said students and faculty members also have been notified but she declined to talk about the specifics, saying it is a personnel issue.

Rogers-Farris became principal at the beginning of school year 2007-2008. Before that appointment, Farris taught at the Winnisquam Regional High School and served as a member of the Hill School Board and the School Administrative Unit 18 School Board.

Farris was credited with introducing the concept of Freshman Academy to Franklin in 2008 — a program that separates freshman into their own highschool wing for their core classes, English, science, math and social studies. The program includes a for-credit freshman awareness class that meets every other day and promotes self-awareness and the building of academic strength.

At the time, not all school board members favored Freshman Academy, saying the additional time not spent on electives could hamper college-bound students from taking electives because of time conflicts.

Last June, Farris' son, Brantley, was convicted of criminal trespass for a school prank in which "2008" was spelled in pennies that were glued to the high school floor. Franklin police said he paid a fine.

Fuller said the school board will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the SAU 18 office in the high school.