What we know about the arrest of state superintendent candidate Sharyl Allen

Recent weeks have seen a steady trickle of statements and media reports related to the arrest of Sharyl Allen, a former deputy to current Republican state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and a candidate in the 2024 election to replace her.

Allen, who will appear on the June 4 Republican primary ballot opposite rival candidate Susie Hedalen, is facing a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer last month in Madison County. The incident that sparked her April 23 arrest is tied to a state investigation into alleged misconduct committed by a teacher at the Harrison Public School where, until this week, Allen served as district superintendent. It’s a complex and evolving situation involving a current candidate for statewide office. Based on news stories, public documents and original reporting, here’s what we know so far.

• On April 15, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a report that a teacher at Harrison Public School, a district situated south of Three Forks that serves 99 students in grades K-12, had made verbal threats against a school administrator. According to a public letter signed by Sheriff Duncan Hedges and posted to social media, the office’s investigation revealed separate allegations that the teacher had committed other criminal acts involving students. The office requested the assistance of the state Division of Criminal Investigation, and according to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office, the division was assigned to the case on April 17. Knudsen’s office told Montana Free Press this week the allegations involved potential sexual misconduct.

• On April 22, Allen allegedly prevented one of the division’s agents and a sheriff’s captain from interviewing students at the school who had been identified as potential victims. A criminal complaint filed by the sheriff’s office in Madison County Justice Court the next day claims Allen informed law enforcement they needed consent from the students’ parents and likewise instructed school staff to contact parents prior to interviewing students. Allen also allegedly told officers she had a working relationship with Knudsen — a comment the attorney general later criticized as “inappropriate.”

• On April 30, Allen pleaded not guilty to the obstruction charge at an initial justice court hearing. The same day, her campaign issued a press release calling Allen’s actions that led to her arrest a “bold stand for parental rights and student protection.” The release cited local board policy stating that a parent or guardian should, “if practicable,” be present for any interrogation on school grounds. Allen’s campaign cast the incident as the candidate’s commitment to “the values Montanans hold dear.”

“Despite the consequences she faces for her actions,” the release said, “Allen remains resolute in her dedication to championing parental rights and what that means in standing up for students.”

According to minutes from Harrison School District Board of Trustees meetings this spring, Allen’s contract as superintendent was set to expire June 30 and trustees had voted April 15 to approve her resignation at that time. The board declined to take further action on her contract April 29, but noted that Allen had reduced her time spent at the school for the remainder of the year. On May 14, trustees voted to place Allen on paid administrative leave for the remainder of her tenure, with the board’s minutes noting, “Our district no longer requests her services.”

Montana Free Press emailed Hedalen this week asking if she had any comment about the developments involving her Republican primary opponent. Hedalen, also a former deputy of Arntzen’s who now serves as superintendent of the Townsend School District and vice chair of the state Board of Public Education, replied Thursday with the following comment:

“My focus is on meeting voters and winning the primary election to ensure that we bring education in Montana back to basics, put parents and students first, and keep our schools safe. I have the experience and record to lead the Office of Public Instruction and start serving Montana students, teachers, and families on day one.”

In an email to MTFP Friday, Allen declined to comment further on the developments, writing she had nothing to add to her campaign’s earlier statement.

• As of Thursday, the state Division of Criminal Investigation was still conducting interviews and collecting evidence in its investigation of the sexual misconduct allegations at Harrison Public School. Emilee Cantrell, communications director for Knudsen’s office, informed MTFP via email that “when DCI’s investigation is complete it will be forwarded to the [Madison] county attorney for prosecutorial review and any applicable or additional criminal charges.”

The Montana Office of Public Instruction confirmed for MTFP this week that the teacher now under investigation was hired at Harrison on Jan. 12 and terminated on April 17. OPI spokesperson Brian O’Leary also verified the teacher did not have a state educator license or an emergency employment authorization, and had not been employed at any other public school in Montana’s K-12 system prior to starting at Harrison this year. MTFP, like other media outlets reporting on this situation, is not publishing the teacher’s name since no criminal charges have been filed.