At a Glance:
WHAT: Dr. Snapp alleges breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, violation of due process and defamation among other items. In a complaint filed March 31st against Brownsburg Community Schools and School Board.
The Story Continues:
Brownsburg, March 31st:
A seven-page complaint was filed March 31st by Dr. Snapp’s retained counsel Kirk Leblanc of Leblanc and Nettles against the Brownsburg Community School Corporation as well as the School Board. In summary the complaint includes allegations of breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, violation of due process and defamation among other items.
Dr. Snapp’s complaint seeks a jury trial where appropriate and unspecified damages. The allegations include the following:
• The School Board used false allegations and a false report to open a State Board of accounts investigation into mismanagement of funds. The Indiana State Board of Accounts and Indiana State Police investigations later found no mismanagement of funds. The investigations terminated in Dr. Snapp’s favor.
• The complaint alleges the ulterior purpose of the investigations were to coerce Dr. Snapp into retirement and taking a lesser settlement amount than he was entitled by contract.
• Failing to meet the minimum qualifications for termination as outlined in his Superintendent Contract for employment.
• The investigation diminished Dr. Snapp’s standing in the community by purposefully misleading the public to justify the School Board’s actions.
• Dr. Snapp has sustained damages in the form of loss of current business contracts, future business contracts, and other damages.
Brownsburg Sentinel Reporting Provides Context
Dec 29th 2023
The School Board Fails to Renew Dr. Snapp’s Contract
Excerpts From the Article:
A Sentinel December 29th, 2023 report provides historical context.
The only information provided was BCSC Legal Counsel David Day (who was retained specifically by the school board to address the superintendent’s contract negotiations) recommendation “It is my recommendation that the board not agree to the extension to Dr. Snapp’s contract. And that the notice be given to Dr. Snapp as provided in this contract.” Mike Wells moved the board adopt the recommendation which was seconded by Katie Dixon, followed by unanimous adoption by the four members in attendance.
No justification or context was provided by any members of school board or by David Day their legal counsel.
Once the meeting was adjourned an audience member asked “Does the board intend to have Dr. Snapp finish his contract until the end of the school year of 2026?” Jessica Heffernan School Board president responded “The board has made no decisions yet”.
Jan 7th 2024
The Sentinel’s Investigation into the matter fails to uncover cause
Excerpts From the Article:
Our extensive investigation into the matter continued with a report from January 7th, 2024.
The school board held another closed executive meeting Tuesday, Jan 2nd at 9:00am to discuss matters relating to their decision not to renew the School Superintendent’s contract.
The Brownsburg Sentinel has investigated the matter and to date, no justification for non-renewal of the contract has surfaced. By contract the school superintendent can be released for a variety of reasons; the board has not provided evidence to support any of the clauses.
By all materials available to the public – The Superintendent has met and exceeded the defined minimum qualifications for the position.
Jan 16th 2024
Dr. Snapp Announces Retirement
Excerpts From the Article:
As reported by the Sentinel in a January 16th, 2024 article Dr. Jim Snapp announced his early retirement effective January 15th, 2024 after the School Board met on December 28th where following a brief statement from the school board’s legal counsel, they voted unanimously not to renew his contract for the following year (2025-2026).
Dr. Snapp had previously expressed the desire to continue as BCSC school superintendent until his retirement which would be June 2027 at the earliest.
In a statement released by Dr. Snapp —
“The decision to retire at this time in my life has been an extremely difficult one – but I am confident this is the right time for me to step down,” Snapp said. “I thank the Board of Trustees for their support over the last 14 years. It has been the joy of my professional life to lead the school corporation that did so much for me as a student many years ago. I have had the distinct privilege of serving alongside the most incredible, dedicated people I have known – doing remarkable things for our students – which is more than I ever could have imagined when I started in this profession nearly 40 years ago. While I will miss the daily interactions with our incredible students and staff, I wish them the utmost continued success.”
For a copy of the legal complaint
>> CLICK HERE << For a copy of Dr. Snapp’s Complete Legal Filing.
The complete legal complaint is also available at the bottom of this article.
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Article Updates:
2025 04 10 1730 – Article updated to include references and excepts to earlier reporting.
Content Via:
The Editor
Hendricks County Prosecutors Office
The complete legal complaint follows below:
