Melanie Hiatt began coaching and teaching dance and cheer part-time at Park City High School at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. She held that position until May 1, when the Utah State Board of Education suspended her teaching license for two years.
The board’s decision was based on the findings of a Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) investigation into allegations that Hiatt had behaved inappropriately with a student.
Court papers indicate the district placed Hiatt on administrative leave April 21, after receiving an email from UPPAC about its investigation of the dance teacher.
Hiatt then filed a temporary restraining order against the district seeking reinstatement.
She told KPCW she wanted to be reinstated to support her students during an annual dance showcase May 1-2.
“I was trying to be there for my students so that I could see our annual showcase through to its end and prevent the students from all this unnecessary stress,” Hiatt said.
Hiatt was subsequently terminated from her employment with the Park City School District. She dropped the lawsuit against the district May 6.
Hiatt is in the process of appealing the state board’s decision.
