JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch School District’s board released a statement on the dismissal of charges against a teacher at its Wednesday, May 6, meeting, saying members felt the teacher should have been fired, but the decision is not “solely up to the board.”

Carly Ann Miller, 36, of Allison Park, had charges against her dismissed by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Kubit at an April 30 hearing. The charges stemmed from an incident where she allegedly threatened to kick an 8-year-old student with autism after slapping the boy’s face when he bit her, police said at the time.

“The board has, and will always, act in the best interest of the students. When a teacher strikes a student, and in this case, a special needs student struck in the face, that teacher should immediately be fired,” board President Donna Eakin said. “Unfortunately, the decision is not solely up to this board.”

Eakin said the teachers’ union had filed a grievance “defending this teacher’s actions, and seeking her immediate return to work.

Miller’s attorney, Steven Valsamidis, argued in court the incident did not rise to breaking the law. Valsamidis said a video showing the majority of the alleged incident was played in court. He said the video showed Miller executing her training for working with special needs children after the child bit her.

Miller was charged with misdemeanor assault following the alleged incident. An opinion explaining the reason for the eventual dismissal of the charges was not given by Kubit.

Superintendent David Foley previously said Miller was placed on leave immediately following the incident. She was terminated in March 2025.

A decision on Miller being reinstated has not yet been made.

“The grievance process is long, costly and frustrating in situations like this,” Eakin said Wednesday night. “A hearing is set for Monday and, pending the outcome of this hearing, the board will have no further public comment on this matter.”