Highlands High School Assistant Principal Kaitlyn Selfridge has resigned, firing off accusations of a hostile work environment, inequitable hiring practices and other ethical concerns.
Selfridge submitted a letter of resignation April 13, saying she would not return to the building before her departure is effective at the end of the school year.
“I love the district, but I can’t stay silent on these concerns,” Selfridge told TribLive. “Since my arrival, there have been more than six principal changes. That fact alone should warrant a meaningful investigation into the culture.”
A former district middle school math teacher, Selfridge was hired as the high school assistant principal in 2023.
Selfridge claims the administrative culture is unpleasant, if not demeaning. She said building leaders, including herself, have been chastised for their appearance and told they “look stupid.”
Colleagues have been dismissed and treated as though they are disposable, she said, adding that “people feel undervalued and bullied.”
Andrews & Price, the attorneys who represent the district, were not available for comment, a secretary at the firm said Friday. Emails sent to the office were not immediately returned.
Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said she vehemently denies the accusations but she could not discuss the situation because it is a personnel matter.
In her letter to the school board, superintendent and leadership team, Selfridge detailed multiple alleged instances which she feels support her claim of a toxic culture.
On one occasion, she said, Mawhinney advised her to delete voicemails from a former student who alleged misconduct at the district.
Selfridge also questioned apparent inconsistencies in hiring practices, salary transparency and access to professional opportunities.
A former employee was promoted from assistant principal at the elementary school to high school principal without a formal posting of the job or an interview process, she said, while candidates for other positions were required to apply and complete multiple rounds of interviews for similar roles.
“This lack of consistency raises concerns about fairness and equity,” Selfridge said. “I was explicitly told that, as a young mother, I should not pursue the high school principalship because the role is considered a 24/7 job.”
Mawhinney said: “No administrator has ever been told to ignore student complaints, and the district has followed appropriate and legal hiring practices. I am confident that the evidence provided through the investigation will confirm this.”
Selfridge requested the school board investigate her claims.
School directors Autumn Monaghan and Kristie Babinsack were the only board members to respond to TribLive requests for comment. Both said they are aware of the letter but could not discuss the issue because it’s a personnel matter.
Selfridge said she had hoped to follow in the footsteps of her father, Ray Grzywinski, who retired after 34 years in the district and was a “Ram for Life.”
“I had hoped to continue that legacy,” she said. “When I became an administrator, I was more excited to make an impactful change in the district. Highlands has also been home to me, and it’s so sad to see the shift in culture here.”
She said the district has no human resources department to process these types of complaints.
“In the absence of this structure, there is a genuine fear of retaliation when raising valid concerns,” Selfridge said.
In addition, Selfridge said, administrators have been told not to communicate with board members directly, leaving the school board without insight from building-level leadership.
She offered the board a chance to conduct a formal exit interview to learn more about her concerns.
“I love the district, and I think there are great opportunities at Highlands,” she said. “But the culture for the teachers and administrators directly affects what the students go through on a daily basis, and I hope the board will take these concerns seriously.”