Community Members Pack School Board Meeting in Support of Dillsboro Principal

Kyle Miller was recently suspended after claims of insubordination

Photo by Cheryl Damon-Greiner.

(Aurora, Ind.) - On Tuesday, August 18, the South Dearborn Community School Board held a scheduled meeting that included public comments from community members about a work-related disciplinary action involving Dillsboro Elementary Principal Ms. Kyle Miller.

Originally scheduled for the South Dearborn Schools Administration Building, the meeting was moved to the South Dearborn Middle School cafeteria to accommodate the anticipated number of parents and other community members. An estimated 200 people attended.

Everyone who attended was offered the opportunity to make a three-minute public statement to Board members Jeff Lane, Steve Hamlett, Shawn Spindler, Scott Willoughy, Kelli Gentrup-Pettit, Daryl Cutter, Brandon Messmore and Superintendent Dr. Ronald Ross after signing in with their name and address. Board President Scott Willoughby stated that the scheduled time for the meeting would be extended if needed to accommodate everyone who wanted to speak. Not all attendees chose to speak, and the extension was not necessary.

The suspension of the principal at Dillsboro Elementary had not been publicly explained, which appeared to contribute to the concern and frustration expressed by several speakers.

Most statements focused on Ms. Miller’s suspension and their disagreement with the action taken by Dr. Ross. Many speakers praised her professionalism, her success as principal at Dillsboro Elementary, and their personal interactions with her.

The comments were occasionally heated and included applause from spectators. Most speakers delivered their opinions clearly and in a prepared manner. Some blamed a decline in enrollment in South Dearborn Community Schools on Dr. Ross and members of the school board.

Some suggested that Ms. Miller was disciplined for insubordination, but there was no definitive verification of that claim. One speaker stated that Dillsboro parents should have been notified of the principal’s suspension instead of hearing about it on social media.

A former administrative staff member also spoke, praising Dr. Ross’s work ethic and commitment to students.

After the last person finished speaking, the meeting turned to approval of agenda items and ended shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Ross and the board members made no statements concerning issues involving Ms. Miller because personnel matters require confidentiality and may be discussed only with the people directly involved.

The meeting was broadcast live on YouTube Live and can be viewed in its entirety at SDCSC Aug 18, 2026, School Board Meeting