Lakota principal found not guilty, returns to school

KANSAS — Dana Ward returned to her position as principal of Lakota Elementary School Wednesday, following a not guilty verdict in a Sandusky County criminal trial. Case resolution and reinstatement A jury in the Woodville location of the Sandusky County Court found Ward, 55, not guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor assault charge Tuesday. The court's judgment entry stated the jury found Ward not guilty "in the manner and form as she stands charged." Following the verdict, Lakota Local Schools Superintendent Chad Coffman issued a notification to district families Tuesday evening, confirming Ward's return to the building the following morning. "She will be returning to the elementary school in her role as principal beginning March 25, 2026," Coffman stated in the letter. "We are confident that Mrs. Ward will continue to support our students and staff while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment." Incident background The charge followed a May 8, 2025, incident at the school. According to records from the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, School Resource Officer John Johannsen reviewed security footage after a parent reported a physical interaction between Ward and a student during dismissal. Johannsen's supplemental report stated the footage showed Ward holding a student's arm and striking the child in the facial area with the back of her hand. Upon further review of high-quality footage, reports indicated that Ward appeared to strike the child a second time, with enough force to knock the child's head and torso backward. Ward was placed on paid administrative leave on May 23, 2025, after the formal charge was filed. SRO records indicated that Coffman initially expressed a preference not to place Ward on leave after an initial review of the footage. Professional history Prior employment records previously obtained by The Advertiser-Tribune detail a 2013 incident involving Ward during her tenure at Napoleon Area City Schools. A 2013 administrator evaluation from that district described an incident where Ward was observed "lifting and pulling a kindergarten student by her arms," which allegedly left red marks. In a written rebuttal at that time, Ward stated she had placed her hands under the student's arms to encourage the student to walk but denied causing injury or raising her voice. Ward's tenure at Napoleon ended in 2015 due to what the district described as an administrative reorganization. No criminal charges were filed in relation to the 2013 incident. Community reaction Public response to the news of the acquittal and Ward's immediate reinstatement was swift and largely critical in local social media groups Tuesday. Despite the vocal opposition in online spaces, the district's communication maintains that Ward will continue to "support students and staff" in her capacity as principal. Ongoing inquiries The return of the principal to the elementary building coincides with the first day of classes following the trial's conclusion. The Advertiser-Tribune has submitted formal inquiries to the Lakota Board of Education and the Superintendent's office regarding the district's internal investigation process, the criteria used for the principal's reinstatement, and whether the 2013 evaluation was reviewed during her initial hiring. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.