Although he remains at the center of a school district inquiry, embattled Principal Tim Cadotte was back with his students at Burroughs Community School on Tuesday, his smile pervading the main hallway as he greeted pupils and parents alike.

"Welcome back," said one girl amidst a throng who stopped to hug the newly reinstated principal.

Said Cadotte: "It's been a big lovefest. The beauty [of Burroughs] is this is a happy place."

Cadotte has led the highly touted southwest Minneapolis school for a decade and is known as a hands-on leader who usually greets students as they arrive and clears trays during lunch.

But last month, scenes such as the one that unfolded Tuesday morning abruptly halted when the Minneapolis School District placed Cadotte on indefinite paid leave. The action came after an unannounced visit from School Board Member Chris Stewart on April 17 led to a heated argument involving race, district parents said.

District officials have declined to discuss their ongoing investigation of the incident, citing laws forbidding the release of personnel actions against public employees. Cadotte said he isn't permitted to discuss the investigation, either.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Burroughs Community School Principal Tim Cadotte was greeted with hugs by his students as they made their way to class early Tuesday morning, May 5, 2009, in Minneapolis on Cadotte's first day back to school after a suspension following an altercation with a school board member.

Associate Superintendent Marianne Norris announced in a brief letter sent home with students Friday that Cadotte would be returning to his duties at the school. Earlier last week, seven politicians, including state Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, had sent a letter to School Board Chair Tom Madden urging the district to reinstate Cadotte as soon as possible.

Minneapolis schools were closed for teacher training on Monday, so Tuesday was the first day he was back among Burroughs' students and parents.

"It felt plain without him. The morning announcements were boring," said 11-year-old Emma O'Brien, a fifth-grader.

"At lunch he sings songs. The other principal didn't do that," said Sally Yates, 11, also a fifth-grader. She was referring to how Cadotte reminds students to clear their trays.

Burroughs parent and site council co-chairman Kip Wennerlund said the investigation, which is being conducted by an unidentified third party, isn't finished.

"Obviously we're happy to have him back," Wennerlund said. "That was always the aim -- to minimize any effect on the students."

On Tuesday, Cadotte said he was excited about interviewing teachers for positions to begin this fall and about planning Burroughs' all-school picnic. "It's going to be 16 or 17 hours a day for the next week or so," he said. "It's just a really busy time of year."

Patrice Relerford • 612-673-4395