Leah Miller, mother of Hennessey High School teacher Bailey Miller, appeared to stun school board members and 20 in the audience, when she said her daughter was harassed by another teacher.

Her comments followed those of another parent, Katrina Fuksa, who said parents need to know how to document their concerns and complaints against teachers and policies so that they reach the school board.

Both appeared at last Monday night’s meeting of the Hennessey Board of Education. Bailey Miller was not at the meeting.

The audience was mainly made up of parents, school personnel and four teachers who were honored that evening.

Teacher Complaint

Leah Miller said another teacher allegedly told her unmarried daughter, in front of others, that she thought Bailey Miller was pregnant. Bailey Miller teaches high school English.

When Mrs. Miller said the name of the female teacher who allegedly made the comment, board president Patrick Griffin told her not to mention the name of any school employee.

Mrs. Miller said her daughter got her teaching degree when she was 22 then started to work at Hennessey, but was hired on a temporary contract so she is not eligible for a due-process hearing afforded other teachers.

“That’s why I’m here,” said Mrs. Miller, “so the board will understand the facts (because she is not allowed a hearing).”

Bailey Miller is in her second year on a temporary contract to teach high school English. She was hired on an emergency certification which expires June 30, according to school records.

Mrs. Miller said she noticed her daughter wasn’t acting like herself and having headaches, and that’s when she found out “she had been treated improperly” by another teacher. Then she said the other teacher’s name again.

Griffin admonished her again.

Bailey Miller, who is also the yearbook teacher, received superior comments on her evaluation by the principal, her mother said. She was also chosen as Teacher of the Month last year, she said.

Her daughter was “not valued” and not listed by the board as one of the teachers to be hired for next year, she said.

The list she referred to is for certified teachers. Non-certified teachers and support staff hirings are routinely scheduled later.

“You should receive her letter of resignation,” Mrs. Miller said.

She said her daughter was asked by the other teacher, “Who are your friends?” and one of her daughter’s co-workers asked why that teacher was “out to get her?”

Mrs. Miller mentioned that teacher’s name again, and also another school employee’s name.

Griffin called a halt to Mrs. Miller’s comments because she had not followed the board’s rules.

“So when do you want to hear from my attorney?” she asked.

Griffin said the board would meet in executive session and discuss the employment of certified and non-certified employees later in the meeting. He told her a school representative, or the board’s attorney, would contact her.

The board took no action on the Miller matter in open meeting after a two-hour closed session, but did approve six other personnel items. See related story next week.

Document Complaints,

Mom Says

Katrina Fuksa said it’s important that parents need to write down dates, times and places where incidents occur, along with any verbal conversations with school personnel.

She doesn’t want the school to continue the “reputation it currently has” and that we, as parents, need to “stand up for our children. …Our school has made progress …but change is needed.”

By following the school’s guidelines, a parent’s complaints will be placed in a teacher’s file, Fuksa said.

There are steps that have to be taken before the matter is brought before the board. They are outlined on the school’s website under District Policy Manual (Item 528 Public Concerns and Complaints) and include talking with the school principal and then the superintendent.

The board may hear the complaint in executive session (closed to the public), or may hear it in open session, if the employee wants, the policy states.

Mrs. Fuksa said she was asked why she wanted to discuss the problem since her youngest child is a senior this year. She said because it’s important to other family members and friends who have children.

She did not mention any problem she had with school personnel.

Four other parents sat with and, around her table, at the meeting.

Mrs. Fuksa said that as a founder and officer of CAT (Community Action Team) she has been able to work with the school on projects and hopes that goodwill will continue after her comments before the board.

Elizabeth Marin, a middle school language arts teacher, also signed up to speak, but when called on by the president, she shook her head to indicate no.

All five board members were present at the meeting: Dr.JamesM.Matousek(vice president), Luke Lough (clerk), Cristopher Choate (immediate past president), Joe Garrison and Griffin.