After Parent Outcry, Highline District Reverses North Hill Leadership Transfers

DES MOINES, WA — Highline Public Schools Superintendent Ivan Duran announced May 13 that Principal Kimberly Jones and Assistant Principal Kaitlyn O’Leary will remain at North Hill Elementary School following intense community backlash over the district’s earlier decision to transfer the pair to another school.

“Together, we have decided Ms. Jones and Ms. O’Leary will remain at North Hill,” Duran wrote in a message to families Wednesday evening.

The district also announced it will reopen the hiring process for leadership at Des Moines Elementary School.

The reversal came after nearly two weeks of rallies, sign-waving, social media outreach, and public testimony from families, students, and educators determined to keep the leadership team in place.

Late on May 1, North Hill families learned Jones and O’Leary would be transferred to another school. The move was sudden and came with no forewarning.

Two North Hill parents, Kristen Price and Katie Paulson spearheaded the effort to reverse the decision, organizing rallies, sign-waving events, outreach campaigns, and public testimony in support of Jones and O’Leary. Students and families gathered outside the school nearly daily, holding signs and urging the district to reconsider.

At the May 6 board meeting, Price, Paulson, students, and community members spoke before a packed crowd of roughly 200 attendees. Some students said they were speaking on behalf of teachers who were afraid to speak publicly.

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In his message Wednesday, Duran acknowledged the district had heard concerns raised through emails, advocacy efforts, and public testimony.

In a joint statement to The Highline Journal, Price and Paulson said:

“Our focus has always been on the stability of our school and the well-being of the educators who serve our children. We are incredibly grateful that our leadership team is remaining at North Hill, and we would like to thank Dr. Duran, the Highline School Board, and the District for listening to our concerns and making this decision. Our staff is the heart of this community, and we are happy to get back to the business of supporting them and celebrating our students' success. The Force is definitely with North Hill today.”

Families involved in the effort described the decision as a powerful example of what can happen when parents, educators, and community members work together on behalf of students.

Price was creating thank-you posters Wednesday evening following the announcement.

Ongoing Support for Highline Educators and Families

Price told us that part of the effort involved creating what she described as a “heat shield” so educators and parents could safely raise concerns about broader district issues without fear of retaliation.

Even though this particular decision has been reversed, Price encouraged Highline parents and educators with ongoing concerns to contact her via private email:

Protecthighlineeducators@protonmail.com

The Highline Journal will continue following this story.

From Highline Superintendent Ivan Duran

North Hill Leadership Announcement
North Hill Elementary

Superintendent Ivan Duran May 13 at 5:15 PM

Dear North Hill Families,

Thank you to every North Hill student, family and staff member who shared feedback through the ThoughtExchange about the qualities valued most in a school leadership team. It is clear the community deeply values the leadership strengths Kimberly Jones and Kaitlyn O’Leary bring to their roles.

We are also grateful to the many members of the North Hill community who took time to share their perspectives and advocate for North Hill through emails and attendance at the school board meeting. We have heard you and understand your concerns.

Over the past week, North Hill school leadership and Highline executive leadership have reconsidered Ms. Jones and Ms. O’Leary’s appointment at Des Moines Elementary School.

Together, we have decided Ms. Jones and Ms. O’Leary will remain at North Hill.

Ms. Jones and Ms. O’Leary remain committed to North Hill, and we look forward to the continued work ahead together.

As a result of this decision, we will reopen the hiring process to identify leadership for Des Moines Elementary School.

Thank you,

Dr. Duran