Milan Area Schools board votes 5-2 to non‑renew probationary teacher Sierra Moran after public outcry

The Milan Area Schools Board of Education voted 5‑2 on June 4 to non‑renew the probationary teaching contract of Sierra Moran, ending her employment with the district on June 30, 2025.

Superintendent Brian Gearbaugh presented the administration’s recommendation for non‑renewal, saying Moran had failed to make expected, sustained growth under the district’s teacher evaluation rubric. Gearbaugh cited concerns summarized by Moran’s evaluator, Vice Principal Baden, including punctuality, lesson planning, instructional delivery, timely grading and professional judgment.

The recommendation prompted extended public comment. Dozens of parents, students and community members spoke during the public‑comment period in support of Moran, citing her accessibility to students, coaching and mentoring roles, and a petition that the presenters said had 413 signatures urging the board to retain her. Several speakers described Moran as a “trusted adult” for students with social or emotional needs; others described family complaints about discipline and treatment of particular students.

Moran addressed the board for five minutes after the administration presented its case. She told the board that some cited incidents were misunderstandings, that she had legally protected accommodations and intermittent FMLA that allowed her to step out of class when triggered, and that she had repeatedly raised work‑flow and gradebook issues with administrators. Moran said she had received mentorship and support from colleagues but that conversations with building administration lacked consistent coaching and constructive feedback.

Before the final vote the board recessed to consult district counsel after staff circulated a draft resolution that would have used language to terminate employment. District counsel said that, while termination is an available option for a probationary teacher, the board could instead adopt a non‑renewal resolution to allow Moran’s employment to conclude at the end of the school year; the board returned and adopted the non‑renewal resolution.

The motion to non‑renew was moved by Farrow and supported by Fryer (as recorded in the meeting minutes). The roll call vote as recorded in the meeting: Gutierrez — No; Haika — No; Marais — Yes; Pryor — Yes; Syslo — Yes; Burdette — Yes; Farrow — Yes. The motion passed 5‑2. The board’s resolution directs the superintendent to notify Moran in writing and to include a certified copy of the resolution and notice of her right to appeal to the State Tenure Commission under the Michigan Teachers’ Tenure Act (MCL 38.83).

The board’s minutes note Moran submitted written documentation for the board’s review before the action; the record also shows multiple public speakers and several students who described Moran as an important educator in their lives.

Moran may pursue the appeals process available under state law; the resolution notes timelines for appeal. The district will send the formal written notice required by statute.

Board members who voted against the non‑renewal, Gutierrez and Haika, spoke earlier in the meeting and during the vote period in favor of listening to community testimony and emphasizing due process; those statements are part of the public record of the meeting.

The board meeting packet and the district will post the formal resolution and notice of appeal rights in accordance with the statute.