GUILDERLAND — Guilderland High School principal Michael Paolino has been placed on administrative leave by the school district, though district officials will not say why.

"It is confirmed the principal has been placed on leave effective Monday, July 28. He will remain on leave until further notice," said district spokeswoman Amy Zurlo. "Other than that, we cannot discuss specific details because it is a personnel matter."

District Superintendent John W. McGuire was on vacation and could not be reached.

Paolino, the son of John Paolino, Schenectady's commissioner of finance and administration, was appointed to the job in September 2007 and has an annual salary of $114,125.

The three assistant high school principals - Brian McCann, Brian Bailey and Lisa Patierne - are assuming Paolino's duties while he is on leave.

Earlier this summer, the transfer of high school social studies teachers Ann-Marie McManus and Matt Nelligan to Farnsworth Middle School prompted a huge wave of opposition in the community. McGuire said the decision to transfer the teachers was based on a "culture climate" study that found a locker room atmosphere in the social studies department at the high school.