Teachers, parents urge board to reinstate Elliott principal Nicole Guernsey

Dozens of Elliott Elementary staff, former employees and parents addressed the School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees on concerns about the removal of Elliott Principal Nicole Guernsey.

Speakers said Guernsey has led Elliott for more than a decade and characterized her as a steady, compassionate leader. "Nicole has been the heart of our building," said Andrea Leeser, a reading specialist at Elliott Elementary. Several speakers urged the board to explain why Guernsey's position was posted and asked the board to investigate the decision "fairly and unbiased," as one commenter put it.

The speakers said Guernsey established close staff and community ties and cited examples of classroom support, student advocacy and staff mentorship. "She is the heart of our school," said a former Elliott teacher, who described 16–17 years of service and asked the board to consider that institutional memory and relationships in any personnel decision. School nurse Lisa Mickelson told the board she had worked with Guernsey for seven years and praised her "compassion and professionalism." Several other commenters asked that the board read letters of support submitted on Guernsey's behalf.

Board members and Superintendent John Heller responded that there was no board action on this agenda and that the board meeting was not the venue for personnel hearings. "There is no board action related to that topic," Heller said and invited anyone with concerns to contact him directly while he remains superintendent for the coming weeks.

Speakers highlighted what they said would be the effects on students and staff if long-serving leadership is changed. Commenters repeatedly requested clarity about the reasons for the personnel change and asked the board to explain the process that led to posting the principal position.

No formal motion or personnel action on the Elliott principal position was presented to or taken by the board at this meeting. Board members said any personnel matters that require action would appear on a future agenda and that members of the public should submit concerns to the superintendent or board office for follow-up.

The public comment period on this topic concluded without a vote; the board reserved personnel decisions for appropriate confidential or future agenda processes.

The board will receive any formal personnel recommendations through its normal agenda process. Members of the public who addressed the board tonight said they expect the district to communicate next steps to Elliott families and staff.