NEW CASTLE, IN — The superintendent of Western Wayne Schools has been placed on administrative leave in the wake of being charged with a felony in Henry County.
Kelly Jenel Plank, 44, was charged on Monday, May 11, in Henry Circuit Court 2 with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.
Plank, of New Castle, was hired as the western Wayne County school district’s superintendent in the summer of 2025.
According to court documents, Plank on the evening of April 4 was at the New Castle Eagles Lodge when a disagreement with another woman turned violent.
The woman and witnesses said Plank “grabbed ahold of her upper body, struck her leg out and flipped her to the ground,” according to an affidavit.
The woman said she landed on the floor on her right leg and also struck her head, resulting in her “seeing stars.” She compared Plank’s actions to “a martial arts move.”
She eventually went to Henry County Hospital and was transferred to an Indianapolis hospital, where she spent several days and underwent surgery for two broken bones in her right leg.
The woman told investigators she and Plank had been longtime friends, and at first she indicated she was uncertain whether she would pursue criminal charges.
The bartender at the Elks Lodge told police she had served Plank “a few beers” on the evening of the incident and that her accuser had bought “a couple beers as well.”
Plank later told police her attorney had advised her to not give a statement.
A warrant was issued for her arrest on Monday.
In a release announcing that Plank had been placed on administrative leave, the Western Wayne School Board said, “While the allegations do not involve school property, students or staff, we believe this step is necessary to ensure the district remains focused on its primary mission: the education and well-being of our students.”
An internal investigation is continuing.
Before joining Western Wayne Schools, Plank had served as director of curriculum and instruction at Northeastern Wayne Schools.
Plank was also a principal for Northeastern Middle School from 2020 to 2024 and Fairview Elementary School in Richmond from 2018 to 2020.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Western Wayne superintendent charged with battery, placed on leave
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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