La Crescent school superintendent resigns after recent arrest

The La Crescent-Hokah schools have a new superintendent in place, following the resignation of the previous one, who is facing criminal charges.

The school board met Wednesday night and appointed former middle school principal Gary Kuphal as acting superintendent.

La Crescent School Board chairman Eric Morken released a statement, saying Eric Martinez reached an agreement with the district to voluntarily resign.

Martinez was arrested earlier this month on a domestic assault charge and disorderly conduct. He is due back in court in December.

The La Crescent School Board named Kuphal superintendent after a closed-session discussion Wednesday.

Martinez had been with the La Crescent schools for just four months, after working for a school district in northwestern Minnesota.