In the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama, a well-liked principal was reportedly taken away from her elementary school after she displayed a photo of herself receiving a kiss from her girlfriend to a coworker. The principal was placed on administrative leave and has not been seen at the school since.
Lauren Dressback, the principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights (CH), had a long history in the district. Her mother worked as a longtime English teacher there. Dressback attended the district’s schools throughout her entire lower academic career. She worked as a respected high school history teacher and received the Teacher of the Year award there. She currently has two children in district schools.
In 2023, Dressback publicly shared that she is a lesbian. She separated from her husband, who “remains very supportive,” according to Dressback’s friends. In January, Dressback informed District Superintendent Todd Freeman about her new relationship status — he was supportive too.
However, after Dressback shared the photo of her girlfriend with a colleague in February, the respected principal vanished from campus with no explanation, other than the second-hand information that she was put on “administrative leave.” There is no public record of the board officially placing her on leave.
Apart from the notification to the school community about her leave, Dressback’s only other communication occurred in mid-March.
“Good afternoon, CH Parents,” Dressback emailed parents. “I have been out of the building, and will be for a little while longer. Please know that if you have any immediate needs, contact Kim Polson, and she will be happy to assist you.”
Kim Polson, assistant principal at the time, has since been promoted to principal.
Now parents and colleagues are asking for an explanation.
“If I ask questions, are you obligated to answer them?” parent Jim Whisenhunt asked at a recent school board meeting.
“We generally do not respond to public comments,” was the evasive response from board vice president Scott Brown.
Patrick Mills, a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, told the board their cryptic answers were a disservice to students and parents.
“I would like to remind the board that its mission is to create an educational system distinguished by a safe and nurturing environment, the courage to be creative, unparalleled community support, and an appreciation for diversity. The action of putting Lauren Dressback on administrative leave undermines this mission,” Mills said.
Still, the board had no explanation.
“On the advice of my counsel and the board, we will not comment on matters related to personnel,” Superintendent Freeman said.
According to sources, Dressback’s employment contract states she can be removed from her job for insubordination, failure to perform duties in a satisfactory way, and “immorality.” There’s no indication the principal was insubordinate or failed to perform.
Sources say Dressback has been contacted by a federal investigator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
She also hired a lawyer.
