Highland High School principal Jeremy Chatterton has returned to his role in Salt Lake City after a three-week administrative leave. Chatterton, who was away for three weeks, returned to greeting students as they arrived for class. While he has returned to work, he remains under investigation by the Salt Lake City School District for undisclosed reasons, and no public information regarding the case will be released until a resolution is reached.
During Chatterton's absence, Highland administration members handled his responsibilities, including making end-of-year financial decisions, according to assistant principal Kim Parkinson. Chatterton expressed excitement about returning to connect with the school community and finish the school year. He noted that he missed participating in spring sports and senior events during his time away.
The community demonstrated support for Chatterton through various means, including letters sent to the Salt Lake City School District and the Salt Lake School Board. Some teachers participated in protests by wearing shirts that read Free Jeremy, and science teacher Caleigh Oliver maintained a calendar tracking the days without Chatterton. Additionally, a junior named Sam Archibald started a petition to support Chatterton's return, which had gathered nearly 430 signatures before his return.
Chatterton has served at Highland since the summer of 2020. Under his leadership, the school has seen improvements in standardized test scores, including growth in 9th and 10th grade ASPIRE test categories and overall growth in ACT scores. Teachers noted that Chatterton empowers them to use their expertise rather than micromanaging. While his future at the school remains uncertain due to the ongoing investigation, the community has expressed hope for his continued leadership.
Chatterton stated that he attempted to maintain a routine during his leave by fishing and hitting a bucket of balls. He expressed gratitude for the kindness shown by the Highland community during his absence.
