A state commission has launched an investigation into the actions of Butte Falls Superintendent Steve Pine following two separate complaints.

Although state and Butte Falls school officials declined to comment, one school board member on Friday confirmed that the issue involved a personnel matter within the school district.

"This is just strictly an employee and paperwork issue," said Butte Falls school board member Dennis Burg. "It has nothing to do with academics or students or inappropriate behavior."

Melody Hanson, executive assistant to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, said a person filed a complaint with the organization June 26. A second complaint against Pine was made July 7.

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On Friday, Hanson would not reveal who made the complaints, or if the two complaints were in any way related.

Hanson said the commission, which reviews complaints of teacher misconduct, has launched an investigation into those complaints. She declined to elaborate.

Pine, who was hired to replace retiring Superintendent Clay Dunlap in 2002, serves as the district’s superintendent and as principal of Butte Falls High School and Butte Falls Elementary School.

In October he instituted a controversial policy that student athletes needed to maintain a C average to stay in sports.

"It’s not an easy job, and he’s probably ruffled some feathers," said Burg, who praised Pine’s work with the district. "Butte Falls is not an easy district. It’s small-town politics."

Attempts to contact Pine were unsuccessful on Friday. The Butte Falls School District was closed and a phone call to Pine’s residence wasn’t returned.

Hanson said it is unclear when or if information regarding the complaints and investigation will become a matter of public record.

Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail jbriskey@mailtribune.com