Educators file Human Rights violation
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
3 of 3 free articles.
ARLEE — Superintendent John Jay Miller and his wife, elementary principal Lisa Morger-Miller, have filed a Montana Human Rights violation with the State of Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry against Arlee School Board chair Amy Burland.
The Millers’ complaint alleges that the Arlee School Board has discriminated against them due to their marital status, a violation of the Montana Human Rights Act.
“Beginning (on) or about April 2008, the School Board through its member, Amy Burland, began subjecting me to harassment based upon my marital status. Burland has continually attacked both John Miller’s and my performance based upon our marital status,” the complaint reads.
The complaint comes on the heels of a harassment claim against Superintendent Miller filed by District Clerk Lonnie Morin in a letter from her attorney and sister-in-law Tracey Morin to the Arlee School Board on Oct. 25, 2011.
After Morin’s harassment claim was filed, the Arlee School District Board of Trustees decided at a special board meeting Nov. 1 to have an investigation of the allegations by a third party.
In her complaint, Morin alleges Superintendent Miller is negligent in performing his job duties and has harassed, intimidated and retaliated against her.
The harassment investigation was completed Dec. 28 by Kerri Langoni, Montana School Board Association field services specialist, under the supervision of MTSBA attorney Tony Koenig for the Arlee Board.
On Jan. 23, trustees held a special board meeting to review and discuss the results of the investigation. Because no action was taken, no comments were allowed at the public meeting.
A public disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, to decide if any discipline or corrective action should be taken based on the investigation reports. But that hearing was postponed until the district is able to address the complaint of discrimination filed by Morger-Miller on Dec. 14, 2011.
The Arlee School District denies that it has engaged in any form of discrimination and will address the claims in mediations between the two parties at the end of this month.
