< formatted article >

Highlands High School in Turmoil: Resignation Exposes Leadership Failures and Hostile Work Environment

A Year of Frustration Leads to Departure

Kaitlyn Selfridge, assistant principal at Highlands High School, resigned in April after enduring what she described as a hostile work environment under the district’s leadership. In a scathing resignation letter, Selfridge detailed years of principal turnover, demeaning comments about her appearance, and systemic issues that left her feeling undervalued and bullied.

---

From Classroom to Administration: A Career Sidelined

Selfridge, a former middle-school math teacher, transitioned into administration in 2023—a move that quickly soured due to alleged mistreatment by superiors. She claims colleagues are dismissed abruptly, treated as expendable, and forced into roles where their concerns go unheard.

When she raised concerns about a former student’s disturbing voicemail, the superintendent allegedly instructed her to delete it—a directive that further eroded her confidence in leadership. Her complaints were met with inconsistencies in hiring practices, including:

• A former assistant principal promoted to principal without a formal job posting or interview.
• Others forced to endure multiple rounds of interviews while favored candidates bypassed standard procedures.

Selfridge argues these irregularities expose systemic unfairness, particularly when she was told her role as a young mother conflicted with the "24/7" demands of a principal’s position.

---

A District Without Oversight: Complaints Go Unaddressed

Compounding the issue, Highlands High School lacks a dedicated human-resources office, leaving employees with no formal channel to report misconduct. Selfridge fears retaliation for speaking out—a concern backed by policies preventing administrators from directly contacting school board members, effectively blinding oversight to critical building-level issues.

In her resignation, she urged the school board to investigate the culture, offering an exit interview to clarify her concerns. While she remains grateful for the opportunities Highlands provided, she warns that the current leadership’s practices harm teachers, administrators, and, ultimately, students.

---

Leadership Responds: Denials and Secrecy

The superintendent denied ignoring student complaints, asserting that hiring practices comply with legal standards and that an investigation will clearly refute Selfridge’s claims.

On the school board’s end, members Autumn Monaghan and Kristie Babinsack acknowledged the resignation letter but refused to comment further, citing personnel privacy laws—a stance that leaves many questions unanswered.

---

What’s Next for Highlands High School?

With leadership turnover and allegations of systemic dysfunction, the school faces mounting pressure to address workplace culture, transparency, and fairness. Will the board heed Selfridge’s call for an investigation? Or will the cycle of unaddressed grievances and favoritism continue?

One thing is clear: The resignation has cast a harsh light on the district’s internal struggles—and the stakes for students and staff remain higher than ever.