SAUGUS, Mass. (WHDH) -- Mystery solved, or at least partially solved, over the whereabouts of Saugus High School’s missing principal, Joseph DiOrio.

Saugus school superintendent released a written statement saying the principal has been on leave since last month in connection with an “inquiry into the management of certain financial and other affairs involving Saugus High School.”

“Throughout the year we’ve been addressing the student activities account with some questions that are more easily answered than others,” said school committee chairwoman Wendy Reed.

Steve Castinetti, vice chairman of the board of selectman, said they have been kept in the dark about the outside audit that is underway involving specific school and town programs.

“The school department, from what I understand, under the advice of counsel has not released too much information and that includes the board of selectmen, which rubs me the wrong way a little bit,” said Castinetti.

Parents say this is no time to jump to any conclusions, but it was strange when the principal just dropped out of sight.

“There’s never any fire without smoke, but you know, you’ve got to give the man a chance,” said Dave Smith, a parent.

DiOrio’s wife told 7News that attorneys told them not to comment on the audit.

The assistant principal is now running the day-to-day operations at the high school.

The superintendent of schools said he will have no further comments until the audit has been completed.