Hundreds rally for Dillsboro principal during school board meeting

(AURORA, Ind.) – Hundreds of people came to the South Dearborn school board meeting to express their support for the principal of Dillsboro Elementary on Tuesday night. 

Kyle Miller is a South Dearborn graduate and has served as the school’s principal for several years.

Last week, she was placed on administrative leave, however, the specific details of the suspension have not been made public. 

One source tells us that it was related to a professional incident between her and South Dearborn Superintendent Dr. Ron Ross, however none of the involved parties have confirmed that.

Alan Miller is the principal's husband and a practicing attorney. He was the first speaker and said Kyle wasn't at the school board meeting because she was told to not be on school property during the suspension, unless it was for her child's extracurricular activities.

Alan discussed Kyle’s background with the school and also talked about the passion she has for the district. 

While he was speaking, he asked meeting attendees to stand if they support the superintendent, which it appeared very few did. He then asked the audience to stand if they support Miller, which the entire room stood and cheered. 

Several others spoke throughout the meeting in favor of Miller and against recent decisions of the school corporation. 

However, Aurora Elementary counselor Patricia Johnson voiced support for Dr. Ross as well as Miller. 

“I do know Kyle is an excellent principal who has served our corporation well and has earned the respect of her staff and community. I also know Dr. Ross has high expectations for the staff and students of the school community, and in his short time with us has served our corporation well,” Johnson said. 

Johnson also described Dr. Ross as a compassionate educator, an excellent superintendent, and said she has only experienced and witnessed professionalism from him during his 2-year tenure. 

She concluded by telling audience members that social media posts generally only share one side of the story. 

“As school leaders we do not publicly respond to or expose any person for bashing or lies, misrepresentations, misinterpretations, half-truths or trash talk, even when we are publicly attacked for our decisions,” Johnson shared. 

Another speaker during the meeting urged the school board to overturn the suspension and reinstate Miller as Dillsboro Elementary principal.

Due to the situation being a personnel matter, the school board did not provide any statements during the meeting.