LAKOTA, Ohio-The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that Lakota Local Schools must release certain records related to former superintendent Matt Miller, including a “demand letter” from Miller’s attorney. Miller, who resigned in January 2023 citing a hostile work environment, had previously been investigated by the school board without findings of misconduct. The court found that the district had not fully complied with a parent’s public records requests from January 2023, which sought documents about Miller’s communications with the board. Although the district argued the letter was not a public record since Miller did not actually sue, the court disagreed and ordered its release. Additionally, the court awarded the parent $2,000 in statutory damages and attorney fees.
