LITCHFIELD – A popular principal returned to school last week, reinstated by the school board on Feb. 15.

Members of the Litchfield School Board wouldn’t say Monday why Aurelie Bush was placed on paid leave last month.

“It’s a non-issue, at this point,” said board Chairwoman Joan Thomas. “It is a confidential matter with an employee.”

Bush was hired to head Libby-Tozier and Carrie Ricker Middle schools in August. She was placed on leave by Superintendent Paul Malinsky last month after the two disagreed on a number of issues.

Litchfield parents protested, attending school committee meetings to urge her reinstatement.

“We took everything they had to say into consideration,” Thomas said. “They were there, we listened and we respect what they had to say.”