The principal of St. Paul Academy and Summit School, a private K-12 college preparatory institution in Minnesota, has resigned following a series of controversies. Dr. Luis Ottley announced his departure Monday in an email to the school community, which was obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Ottley's tenure was marked by accusations of expelling a ninth-grade student after the student's father criticized the school's leadership. The father, Matthew Bauer, filed a complaint in Ramsey County District Court alleging that the expulsion was an act of retaliation. Bauer claims that after hosting an event for the school community in February, he drafted a letter of no confidence in Ottley, citing concerns about alleged sexual harassment of female students, censorship of the school newspaper, and a decline in faculty and donations. Ottley reportedly received this letter and subsequently sent an email including its contents to the school community.
Bauer re-enrolled his son for the upcoming academic year shortly after the no-confidence letter was circulated, but Ottley allegedly reached out to Bauer, accusing him of discrediting the school. Following multiple requests for a meeting that Bauer claims he could not attend due to work, Ottley sent a termination letter in April, stating that the 2025-2026 academic year would be the family's last at the school and voiding his son's re-enrollment. The letter cited Bauer's "efforts to undermine community trust, and specifically your authorship and distribution of a no-confidence letter" as a reason for termination.
Additionally, Ottley was accused of mishandling claims that boys circulated lists ranking girls' physical attributes and of intervening in subsequent school newspaper coverage related to these issues.
In his resignation email, Ottley acknowledged that the school community had "navigated some incredibly trying times" during his four-year leadership. He stated, "As we look to the future, I believe it is best for me to step down and offer someone else the opportunity to lead SPA through the next chapter of its journey." He also defended his accomplishments, including creating a program for students with language-based disabilities, raising faculty salaries, renovating the campus, opening a pre-kindergarten program, and developing a strategic plan for athletic facilities.
The school's board of trustees confirmed that Ottley's resignation was accepted. Board president David Kristal described Ottley as a "steady and thoughtful leader during what has been a productive and challenging chapter." However, news of the resignation was reportedly met with elation by some parents.
St. Paul Academy, where tuition is approximately $41,000 per year and notable alumni include novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald and Senator Tim Sheehy, has previously stated that Bauer's claims have "no legal merit" and that it planned to defend itself vigorously. Assistant head of school Anne Zaslofsky will serve as acting head until an interim head is appointed in the fall. Kristal reassured parents that the school would continue operating as usual during the transition.