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The Pajarito Elementary School principal accused of raping a former student years ago will not be charged with any crimes as the is not enough evidence to move forward with a case.

Albuquerque Public Schools officials planned to meet today to decide how to bring the principal back to the school, possibly as soon as Friday.

"He was falsely accused, and there is no reason for him to miss any more work. He has expressed a desire to return to his school, to his students and their parents," school district spokeswoman Monica Armenta said.

The man has been on paid leave since Sept. 20, when a 17-year-old girl reported that he had raped her when she was about 12 years old at Polk Middle School.

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department detectives said in November they believe that the girl was assaulted but don't believe the accused man was the perpetrator.

The Sheriff's Department gave its case to the District Attorney's Office on Nov. 20 with the assertion the girl's allegations were unfounded.

District Superintendent Beth Everitt said at the time that the principal has had a successful career in the district since he was hired in 2000. He was appointed principal at Pajarito in 2005.

She acknowledged that there are "certainly mixed feelings" in the Pajarito community over the accusations. But, she said, the community is full of "wonderful teachers and parents" who "I hope believe in justice. Again, you're innocent until proven guilty," Everitt said.

Armenta said Wednesday night that Everitt and other administrators were alerted to the district attorney's decision late in the day and had plans to meet today to discuss how to bring the man back to his school.

The plan includes how to let the students and their parents know of the change.

"They will talk about sending a letter home," Armenta said.

She said she expects the man to return to his post "as soon as we're able to get the word out to the community."

"The superintendent has expressed that the district has confidence in the principal's past work and what he'll be able to do for the future," Armenta said. "We're sorry he ever had to go through this experience, and we're eager to get him back to the job."

The principal's attorney would not comment nor provide access to his client.