Hanalei Elementary School’s principal was reassigned, this week, to work at the state Department of Education’s Kauai District office while complaints about her leadership style are investigated.

Kapaa Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki and a third party from outside the district were tasked with investigating complaints regarding Lisa McDonald’s administration at Hanalei Elementary, said Donalyn Dela Cruz, DOE spokeswoman.

“We need to make sure this process is fair; therefore we brought in a third party to take a look at the complaints made,” Dela Cruz said.

The complaints, which first surfaced last year when McDonald was appointed to the post, involve some parents and teachers who have accused her of being abrasive and failing to listen to teacher concerns.

Lana Shea, the school’s parent-teacher association president, said the principal’s move to establish a kindergarten-first grade combination class on Aug. 24 to address increased enrollment served as a boiling point for teachers and parents opposed to the idea.

Opponents want the school to instead add a third kindergarten class. Hanalei Elementary currently has two kindergarten classes and two first-grade classes.

The teacher assigned to the new kindergarten-first-grade combination class resigned about a week ago, citing work overload. A substitute teacher is currently teaching the combination class.

Prior to McDonald’s reassignment, parents, who formed a group called Save Hanalei School, along with some teachers and students, held two protests, with some participants toting signs calling for McDonald’s resignation.

Kapaa Middle School Vice Principal Reiko Beralas stepped in Wednesday9/1 to temporarily serve as principal until the investigation is completed. McDonald, who has been employed by the DOE since 2002, was reassigned on Monday.