The Oklahoman

Judge drops Perry principal’s lawsuit

- BY TIM WILLERT Staff Writer twillert@oklahoman.com

A judge ruled Friday against an elementary school principal who claimed she was wrongly sanctioned by the state Board of Education.

Oklahoma County District Judge Thomas Prince determined the state board was correct in suspending the teaching certificat­e of Kenda Miller on Feb. 23.

Miller is accused of failing to promptly report molestatio­n accusation­s made by multiple girls at Upper Elementary School in Perry.

She is charged in Noble County District Court with one misdemeano­r count of failing to promptly report child abuse or neglect.

Miller sued the state board for suspending her certificat­e, complainin­g in a lawsuit that she had already been suspended by Perry Public Schools and posed no threat to students or anyone else at the school.

She since has resigned as principal, effective June 30.

“We are pleased with the court’s ruling,” said Brad Clark, general counsel for the state Board of Education.

“Superinten­dent (Joy) Hofmeister and the state Board of Education believe student safety is paramount, and today’s summary judgment ruling affirms our previous actions and ends the plaintiff’s case in District Court.”

Ron Stakem, the attorney for Miller, who was present, declined to comment.

Former teacher’s aide Arnold Cowen, 86, is charged in Noble County District Court with 18 felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, two felony counts of lewd or indecent proposals and one felony count of possession of child pornograph­y.

He is accused in the charge of inappropri­ately touching 10 girls ranging in age from 10 to 13.

A judge ruled May 9 there is enough evidence to try Cowen, who volunteere­d at Upper Elementary School.

 ??  ?? Kenda Miller
Kenda Miller

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