BUTLER TWP — An independent investigation into the Butler School District’s response to water test results at Summit Township Elementary School may have uncovered other misconduct by officials including unauthorized access to private e-mails and lying while under oath.

The school board last week learned the findings of an investigation conducted by attorney Michael Witherel.

An executive summary of the investigation released by the district at Monday’s meeting states that it will not release detailed findings of that investigation because a criminal investigation into the matter is still pending. The statement says that the Butler County district attorney, Richard Goldinger, asked the district not to release information relating to the water situation at Summit elementary. The state Department of Environmental Protection also is investigating and working with officials to get the district back into compliance.

The board Monday also voted to accept the resignation and release agreement with Mary Wolf, assistant superintendent of elementary education. Wolf is the third administrator to leave in the past month.

The summary of the investigation states that after an initial investigation, Witherel expanded his investigation to address “several incidents of alleged employees’ misconduct.”

Without giving names, the statement says that this included “alleged failure to perform their respective job responsibilities; their alleged unauthorized access to the District’s e-mail system; their alleged unauthorized retrieval and removal of e-mails, including the e-mails of Board members, legal counsel and others; and, their alleged making of false statements, under oath and during the investigation.”

Water samples collected in August of last year at Summit elementary tested for high levels of lead and copper and the district was sent an e-mail by the state Department of Environmental Protection dated Sept. 27 regarding the results. Despite DEP’s requirements that the district notify the public and create an action plan to address the water system, neither of those actions were initiated until January.

The district’s statement confirms that the investigation played a part in the recent resignations of superintendent Dale Lumley, maintenance supervisor Glenn Terwilliger and Wolf.

“As a result of the information gathered through Mr. Witherel’s investigation, the Board has accepted the resignation of three District employees; directed the Acting Superintendent to take other confidential personnel actions; and, begun the search process for a new Superintendent of Schools, an Acting Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, and Supervisor of Maintenance,” the statement said.

Witherel also conducted interviews with other employees who were involved with Summit elementary including Principal William Chwalik, director of technology William Raley, supervisor of custodians Les Zang as well as the building’s secretary, custodian and another maintenance employee.

The vote on Wolf’s resignation was 6-3, with board members John Conrad, Bill Halle and Leland Clark voting against.

Halle, who also voted against the resignations of Lumley and Terwilliger, echoed his earlier comments that he wanted the board to start termination proceedings.

“I’m looking for more accountability for the actions,” he said.

Unlike Lumley, Wolf did not qualify for early retirement, meaning she will not receive health care benefits after leaving the district, solicitor Tom King said. King said he received her resignation Sunday.

The release agreement states that she can use paid vacation days, personal days and family illness and sick leave time to remain employed by the district until June 30.

Wolf, a 25-year veteran educator, had been assistant superintendent since May 2014. Before that, she was an elementary principal in Clarion County and a curriculum specialist for instructional services at Riverview Intermediate Unit 6.

William Pettigrew, the district’s acting superintendent, said the district will not immediately seek applicants for a replacement for Wolf.

Pettigrew said he and Brian Slamecka, assistant superintendent for secondary education, are looking into another option for covering her responsibilities, though no recommendation has been made to the board.

The board also announced that the search committee to find a new superintendent will have a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Harriger Educational Services Center where the board normally meets.

The committee will include all nine board members. Neil Convery will be the chairman and Jennifer Cummings will be the vice chairman.

Pettigrew, who was involved with two superintendent searches at the Mars School District, will report on the cost of hiring a search consultant.