Harrison Community Reels from Superintendent’s Arrest Amid School Scandal
HARRISON, MT — The small town of Harrison is grappling with a crisis following the arrest of its school superintendent, Sharyl Allen, on obstruction of justice charges. The incident emerged during an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving an unlicensed teacher, who was hired in January and later fired in April. Parents, including Heather Ohs, a mother of two students, noted troubling changes after the teacher’s arrival, with children reporting concerning interactions that sparked parent alarms.
Ohs voiced her distress, stating, “A teacher was hired who is a convicted felon, without a teaching certificate, and it created havoc.” Following the teacher’s termination, he reportedly made threats to students, escalating parental concerns and prompting investigations by the Department of Criminal Investigation. Court documents reveal Allen allegedly hindered officers from interviewing students, resulting in her arrest.
Allen has pleaded not guilty and is currently on paid administrative leave through June. The school board plans to hold a special meeting to appoint a third trustee amid ongoing turmoil. Ohs emphasized the importance of providing support for student victims, saying, “These kids need to be seen and heard.”
In a press release for her campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Allen has portrayed herself as a champion of parental rights, an assertion Ohs disputes. “Her campaign talks about battling for the minds and hearts of children, but I believe that’s the role of parents and the community,” she asserted, calling for accountability and quality education.
As the school community strives to heal, it remains clear that the impacts of this situation extend far beyond the classroom walls.
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