Parents demanding answers in Dillsboro Elementary principal situation

(AURORA, Ind.) – A letter sent to the South Dearborn School Corporation is demanding more transparency in regard to the suspension of the Dillsboro Elementary principal. 

Principal Kyle Miller was placed on administrative leave last week, however, the specific details have not been publicly stated. 

Hundreds of people attended the South Dearborn school board meeting to show their support for the principal on Tuesday night. 

On Wednesday, a letter to the school district was submitted and it was stated that it's from parents, guardians, taxpayers and community members. 

The letter urges the school to provide a factual basis for the disciplinary action taken against Miller, a record of previous disciplinary action taken against Miller, and a clarification of Miller’s current employment status. 

It also includes additional requests such as school board policies, the superintendent’s authority, and discipline procedures. 

The letter also cites Indiana law Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(8)(C) which mandates that information regarding public employee disciplinary actions—specifically the factual basis for a disciplinary action that resulted in an employee being suspended, demoted, or discharged—must be disclosed once final action has been taken, overriding general personnel file privacy. 

“We recognize that Indiana law permits a public agency to withhold certain personnel records and that legitimate employee privacy interests must be protected. Accordingly, this request does not seek Mrs. Miller's entire personnel file, confidential medical information, private information concerning students, or other information specifically protected from disclosure by law,” the letter states. 

“Instead, we seek those records and portions of records that Indiana law makes available for public inspection,” it said. 

The letter also demands the school provide it in writing if they take the position that the Indiana code does not apply to this situation. 

“This request is made in good faith for the purpose of understanding the official actions of a public school corporation and its officials," it said.