A sudden change at a beloved Lexington school has left many parents with questions—and not many answers.
The head of Lexington’s Redwood Cooperative School has taken a formal leave of absence, according to an email families received Monday from Kelly Taylor, chair of the school’s board of trustees. The message confirmed that Head of School Sarah Cummins began her leave on November 25.
Taylor acknowledged that the news might raise concerns but offered little further detail. “We understand that you may have questions,” the email read. “However, due to privacy considerations, we are unable to share additional information at this time. We appreciate your patience and support.” Taylor did not respond to follow-up requests seeking clarification or comment about the circumstances surrounding Cummins’s leave.
Redwood Cooperative School, located on Crestwood Drive in Lexington, serves children from preschool through middle school. Its educational approach emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-driven learning, fostering curiosity and critical thinking rather than rote memorization. According to the school’s website, 189 students are currently enrolled.
To maintain stability during this period, the Board of Trustees has appointed two leaders—Alicia Vance, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Mattie Bashorun, Director of Student Support—as interim points of contact for daily operations. In the same message, Taylor reassured families that every aspect of student life would proceed as usual. “Our top priority remains the education and well-being of your children,” the statement reaffirmed. “All academic schedules, special events, and extracurricular programs will continue as planned. Our teachers remain fully engaged in supporting students both in and beyond the classroom.”
But here’s where it gets controversial—some parents are wondering whether the lack of transparency hints at deeper issues within the school’s leadership or whether this is simply a private, temporary matter being handled appropriately. Should independent schools be more forthcoming when their top administrators step away unexpectedly? Or does the right to privacy outweigh the public’s need to know?
The original announcement appeared on December 2, 2025, at 11:11 a.m. What do you think—was the school right to stay silent, or should families receive a more open explanation about what’s happening behind the scenes?
