Vestavia Hills community members again crowded a Board of Education meeting and stated support of Lauren Dressback, a former elementary school principal who was recently transferred to lead the local alternative school.

“People think of Lauren Dressback when they think of what Vestavia could be, and you’re kicking her out,” Julianne Jillian said during public comment.

The May 28 meeting was the first regular board meeting since the school board voted unanimously to change Dressback’s job assignment on May 2. Some local residents and school alumni claim Dressback was punished after she discussed her sexual orientation with school staff. Dressback reportedly told some colleagues that she was dating a woman in February.

“A legacy teacher, who up until this point had an impeccable record as a student, a teacher and an administrator. Someone who progressively worked their way up the latter, accolade after accolade,” said Lauren Pill, a Vestavia community member. She questioned the reasoning for the reassignment and stated that if there were any issues with Dressback’s performance, they should be disclosed.

Dressback, who has more than 20 years of experience in education, became Cahaba Heights Elementary School’s principal in 2022. Her contract was renewed in 2023.

In the meeting, Julian, a Vestavia community member, said she and Dressback were in the same fifth grade class. They attend the same church. Julian’s children currently attend a private school, but she said she considered putting them back into public school after Dressback became a principal.

“I was considering bringing them back because Lauren Dressback is the principal at Cahaba Heights where my kids will be going. Imagine if I had brought them back and mommy’s friend was walked out of the building…that same person that I sat in church with…We all stand behind each other. Lauren entered my classroom in fifth grade in Opelika…She knows how great this place could be. She also knows how alienating and backstabbing it can be,” Julian said.

Dressback previously has declined to comment publicly about the situation. School board members and administrators have declined to comment publicly on a personnel matter.

On Wednesday, the school board voted to approve an updated salary schedule. In addition to an incoming, statewide 2% increase for educators, the district will locally support additional 2% and 3% raises for teachers pursuing additional bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some support positions also will get updated pay.