Trial set for OPI candidate Allen, while she defends actions as ‘bold stand for parental rights’

A Republican candidate for state school superintendent faces a jury trial for obstructing a peace officer, but she continues to lead her district, and she defends the actions that led to her arrest as “a bold stand for parental rights.”

Sharyl Allen remains on staff as superintendent-principal for Harrison Public Schools in Madison County and plans to serve through June 30 when her contract ends, she said Friday in a phone interview.

Allen is running in the Republican primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction against Townsend Superintendent Susie Hedalen. Hedalen has outraised her in cash and outgunned her with endorsements including Gov. Greg Gianforte’s.