Ballotpedia: Sharyl Allen

Montana public instruction candidate has mysterious, controversial work history

Sheryl has a Master's in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University and a degree in secondary education and teaching from the University of Montana Western. 

Sharyl is currently working as a superintendent for Harrison County Schools. She was the deputy superintendent at Montana's Office of Public Instruction from 2020 until August of this year. Previously, she worked as a superintendent for Conrad County School District (MT), Grand Canyon School District (AZ), Jefferson High School District (MT), and Mingus Union High School District (AZ). 

Sharyl Allen has not held publicly elected office before. 

As of April 10, 2024, Sharyl Allen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Facilities & Resources

Believes that Christian principles and morals should be integrated into the curriculum and claims this can be done without violating the separation of church and state.

Believes "citizenship and civics" should be taught in every classroom.

- Believes that Christian principles and morals should be integrated into the curriculum and claims this can be done without violating the separation of church and state.
- Believes "citizenship and civics" should be taught in every classroom.

School Curriculum

Aims to "teach our children their true identity as a child of God."

Opposes "the false philosophies of men and women that undermine parental rights."

- Aims to "teach our children their true identity as a child of God."
- Opposes "the false philosophies of men and women that undermine parental rights."

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education

Montana superintendent candidate Sharyl Allen charged with obstruction

Is currently being charged with obstruction for obstructing a criminal investigation on April 22 by “unlawfully preventing” agents from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations from interviewing students who are potential crime victims. While being investigated, she invoked her relationship with the Montana Attorney General, who condemned the behavior as inappropriate.

Resigned from Conrad Public School District a year before her contract expired after the failed implementation of a self-paced learning program in 2019.

Was terminated from her position as superintendent of the Grand Canyon School by unanimous vote from their governing board in 2013. This was following a No Confidence petition with more than 70 signatures, citing concerns of high stuff turnover, poor student performance, poor communication, incomplete curriculum, lack of accountability for payroll/tax errors, poor management of facilities and resources, and disregard for the separation of church and state.

Resigned as the superintendent of Mingus Union High School District in Arizona 2 years before her contract ended after questions surrounding her spending and hiring practices in 2007.

- Is currently being charged with obstruction for obstructing a criminal investigation on April 22 by “unlawfully preventing” agents from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations from interviewing students who are potential crime victims. While being investigated, she invoked her relationship with the Montana Attorney General, who condemned the behavior as inappropriate.
- Resigned from Conrad Public School District a year before her contract expired after the failed implementation of a self-paced learning program in 2019.
- Was terminated from her position as superintendent of the Grand Canyon School by unanimous vote from their governing board in 2013. This was following a No Confidence petition with more than 70 signatures, citing concerns of high stuff turnover, poor student performance, poor communication, incomplete curriculum, lack of accountability for payroll/tax errors, poor management of facilities and resources, and disregard for the separation of church and state.
- Resigned as the superintendent of Mingus Union High School District in Arizona 2 years before her contract ended after questions surrounding her spending and hiring practices in 2007.

Ethics & Conduct

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Sharyl Allen

Sheryl has a Masters in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University and a degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Montana Western. 

Sharyl Allen is currently working as superintendent for Harrison County Schools. She was the deputy superintendent at Montana's Office of Public Instruction from 2020 until August of this year. Previously, she worked as a superintendent for Conrad County School District (MT), Grand Canyon School District (AZ), Jefferson High School District (MT), and Mingus Union High School District (AZ). There are more details on her professional work in the "Ethics and Conduct" Section.

Sharyl has not held publicly elected office. 

Believes that Christian principles and morals should be integrated into curriculum, claiming this can be done without violating the separation of church and state.

- Believes that Christian principles and morals should be integrated into curriculum, claiming this can be done without violating the separation of church and state.

- Aims to "teach our children their true identity as a child of God."

Aims to "teach our children their true identity as a child of God"

- Aims to "teach our children their true identity as a child of God"

- The Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees the K-12 public education system.
- The Superintendent has a broad range of duties, including general supervision over public schools and school districts. This encompasses school finance, educational law, teacher certification, school accreditation, learning assessments, and the administration of federally funded educational programs.
- Additionally, the Superintendent serves on several important boards, including the Land Board, the State Library Commission, the Board of Public Education, and the Board of Regents for the University System, contributing to policies that affect educational and resource management across the state.

Oversees the K-12 public education system in the state