State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Denounces Board of Public Education’s Refusal to Hold Hearing on Educator Sexual Harassment and Immoral Conduct Case
Superintendent Arntzen Denounces Board of Public Education’s Refusal to Hold Hearing on Educator Sexual Harassment and Immoral Conduct Case
September 10, 2020
HELENA- Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen denounced the Montana Board of Public Education Thursday for ignoring the Office of Public Instruction’s recommendation to hold a hearing on an educator’s license for alleged sexual harassment and immoral conduct with a student. The Board voted 5-1 today to dismiss the case without a hearing.
“The Board of Public Education should be ashamed that they have again refused to do their job and as a result, have allowed someone accused of sexual misconduct with a student to keep their teaching license without holding a hearing,” Superintendent Arntzen said Thursday. “The Board’s unbelievable action today denies our children the due process they deserve. To keep predators out of our classrooms and our children safe, the OPI will be taking the Board back to court.”
The Superintendent requested that the Board revoke this license in December of 2018. At their January 2019 meeting, the Board voted not to hear the case. The OPI filed with the Helena District Court to overturn the Board’s decision in February of 2019. In December of 2019, the District Court ruled in the OPI’s favor and returned the case to the Board for further action. Today, the Board voted 5-1 to dismiss the case without a hearing.
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CONTACT: Dylan Klapmeier
Communications Director
Montana Office of Public Instruction
406-444-3559