Superintendent, principal subjects of 37 allegations

ARLEE — Arlee district clerk Lonnie Morin has filed a set of grievances against Superintendent John Jay Miller and his wife, elementary school principal Lisa Morger-Miller, which will be the subject of a public hearing set for Monday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m, at the district office (site subject to change depending on attendance).

Of the 37 allegations against Miller and his wife, filed Oct. 25, 2011, Morin claims that Superintendent Miller is negligent in his job duties, misses work while not being completely honest about why, harasses and intimidates her and mismanages flex time usage for his wife.

In regards to principal Morger-Miller, Morin alleges that the principal arrives late and leaves early on a regular basis and takes days off while not marking them on her leave slip.

Morger-Miller, meanwhile, claims that she was forced to miss work in order to be with her cancer-stricken sister.

At a Nov. 1, 2011 special board meeting, the Arlee School District Board of Trustees agreed to have an investigation conducted by a third party, ultimately done by Kerri Langoni, Field Services specialist with the Montana School Board Association.

Upon completion of the investigation, Langoni states, “While Lonnie Morin raises some legitimate issues with regard to Superintendent Miller … it is the investigator’s belief that Lonnie Morin has exaggerated the harm she is suffering, and that her allegations have been dramatized, specifically through her counsel Tracey Morin’s letters.”

The Millers responded to the allegations in a letter to the trustees, writing, “John and I feel it necessary to have our say to the slanderous and defaming accusations in a letter to you from Tracey Morin, dated October 6, 2011. Ms. Morin’s letter is full of unfounded accusations, slanderous opinions and damaging allegations to the very core of our character and integrity.”

The Feb. 13 meeting will determine whether disciplinary action needs to be taken. Public comment will be allowed.