Principal mysteriously disappears after showing girlfriend’s photo to colleague

In the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama, a beloved principal was reportedly escorted away from her elementary school after she showed a colleague a photo of herself getting a kiss from her girlfriend. The principal was put on administrative leave and hasn’t 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 during her entire lower academic career. She worked as a respected high school history teacher and won Teacher of the Year there. She currently has two children in district schools.

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Then in 2023, Dressback came out as lesbian. She separated from her husband, who “remains very supportive,” according to Dressback’s friends. In January, Dressback met with District Superintendent Todd Freeman to let him know about her new relationship status — he was supportive too.

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But after Dressback shared the photo of her girlfriend with a colleague in February, the beloved principal disappeared 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 message telling the school community that she was on leave, Dressback’s only other communication came 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 elevated to principal.   

Now parents and colleagues are demanding 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.

@laurenpcrna

This is unacceptable #alabama #vestaviahills #cahabaheights #istandwithlaurendressback #greenscreen

♬ original sound – Lauren P

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 has also retained a lawyer.

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