100 signatures reached
To: The Milan Area Schools Administration and Board of Education
Parents + Community Support Miss Moran: Demand Fair Treatment Against Threat of Wrongful Termination
Dear Superintendent Girbach and Milan Area School Board,
We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the wrongful treatment and threatened non-renewal of Sierra Moran, a devoted educator whose work has profoundly impacted her students and the Milan community. The actions taken against Sierra appear to be a blatant disregard for her legally protected rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act. This is unacceptable and undermines the values of fairness, equity, and respect required of our public institutions.
Sierra has alleged that her accommodations for PTSD have been met with resistance from her administration at Milan Middle School. Despite being consistently rated as "effective," she was abruptly deemed "ineffective" without clear examples, a withheld evaluation rubric, and a lack of transparency throughout her current evaluation. She was then presented with a choice to resign or face termination—a troubling sign of potential coercion and retaliation. These decisions not only contradict her rights but also threaten to create a hostile and fearful workplace culture within the district.
Legal frameworks like the ADA and FMLA are designed to protect employees with disabilities from exactly this type of behavior. Sierra’s accommodations are not only protected by the law but are a moral imperative. Moreover, public employers like school districts hold a responsibility to uphold fair practices and model accountability in their treatment of employees. Ignoring these obligations erodes trust in leadership and harms the reputation of the district as a whole.
The community’s response speaks volumes: parents, students, and advocates have expressed outrage over the apparent discrimination and bullying Sierra has faced. But many also fear retaliation for speaking out — a sign of a toxic environment that must be addressed. By terminating Sierra, the administration will send a dangerous message to employees: seeking accommodations for disabilities will lead to punishment. It also sends a chilling message to students with disabilities — that their needs are not welcome, and their rights are negotiable. This is a message we cannot allow to stand.
We urge the administration and the Board of Education to take the following actions immediately:
- Renew Sierra Moran’s contract for the 2025 - 2026 school year and allow her to continue serving the students of the district without reprisal.
- Conduct a transparent, third-party review of the actions leading to Sierra’s threat of non-renewal, including her evaluations and the resistance to her accommodations.
- Provide mandatory training to all district administrators and evaluators regarding FMLA, ADA, and disability discrimination laws to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sierra Moran has made a lasting impact on countless students, families, and colleagues, and has the legal and ethical right to do her job without fear of retaliation or discrimination. We demand accountability, fairness, and a thorough review of the misleading, inaccurate accusations made by her evaluator, Brad Baden, Milan Middle School Assistant Principal.
If you're able, please attend the public hearing to speak up for Sierra: Wednesday, June 4th at Milan HS in the Central Office Board Room at 7pm https://www.facebook.com/share/16ji2F5M5W/
Why is this important?
Standing with Sierra Moran here is important because her case represents more than just one educator’s struggle; it’s about ensuring workplace fairness, protecting individuals with disabilities, and holding leaders accountable for upholding the law and respecting basic human rights. If cases like Sierra's are allowed to continue unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent that discourages others from seeking accommodations and fosters toxic environments in public institutions.
Other people should join this campaign because it’s about safeguarding the rights of everyone: educators, employees, students, and community members alike. When we stand together, we send a powerful message that discrimination and retaliation are unacceptable. This isn’t just a fight for Sierra; it’s a stand for transparency, fairness, and the values we want reflected in all workplaces and communities. By supporting her, we help create a ripple effect of accountability that benefits everyone.