Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Board of Education has voted to suspend the license of a Park City High School dance teacher.
During its executive session Thursday, the board decided to suspend Melanie Hiatt's license for two years, said USBE spokesperson Sharon Turner.
As KSL first reported earlier this week, Hiatt had been fighting to keep her license while state officials probed allegations from Providence Hall in Herriman, where she used to teach.
According to a report from the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission, which serves as an advisory panel to the state board, Hiatt communicated with students at Providence Hall by text and social media against school policy. The panel noted the allegations against Hiatt "involved no sexual misconduct and did not rise to the level of any criminal violations," but it still recommended the state board suspend her teaching license for two years.
Hiatt and her attorneys criticized the panel's investigation and findings. Hiatt also pushed back against the Park City School District putting her on administrative leave last week before a decision about her license had even been made. Her leave came as Hiatt's dance students were preparing for an end-of-year showcase.
In a brief interview with KSL-TV Friday, Hiatt called the license suspension "outrageous" and said she will appeal. She said the panel's evidence against her was weak and relied too heavily on the testimony of one former student.
"I will continue to shout my innocence from the rooftops," Hiatt said, "because that's just the truth."
