Parents expressing concern as St Michael School currently without principal after leadership shakeup; vice-principal makes shocking claim as she announces departure

As parents express concern over leadership at a Fall River school, the vice-principal has announced she is leaving.

In a communication received by parents on Wednesday from Father Fred Babiczuk and Daniel Roy, Superintendent of Schools at the Diocese of Fall River, St. Michael School announced that the school is “actively searching for strong, mission-aligned leadership” at the school and that interviews have begun for a new principal. However, they will now be also looking for a vice principal.

Kaitlin Futoma announced Thursday afternoon on social media that she will be leaving her post this month.

“To the Saint Michael School community: I have submitted my notice of resignation as vice principal. My final day will be Friday, August 28, 2026.

“I am heartbroken and deeply disappointed, but I have been left with no viable choice.

“Mr. Ryan Klein’s termination was a shock, and the dishonest way it has been handled publicly has been unfair to the Klein family and school community. Moreover, when Mr. Klein’s employment ended in June, Fr. Babiczuk directed me and others to lie to the community about his employment status. When I asked questions and challenged these directives, Fr. Babiczuk told me I cannot be trusted, and that I would need to earn his trust if I wanted to advance in my career. I refuse to compromise my integrity by participating in deception or aligning myself with these public falsehoods.

“I was not consulted or informed about Mr. Klein’s departure, despite my position as vice principal. No one contacted me. Instead, I was abruptly locked out of the school email account I manage, and the locks on my shared office were changed without my knowledge. With no communication from the pastor or superintendent, I was left to assume my own termination was imminent. At every step, I have been excluded and kept uninformed.

“I have also learned that Fr. Babiczuk has been spreading a lie about me. I have reached out to him numerous times over the past week to discuss this, but he has not responded. I have not heard from Fr. Babiczuk since July 10.

“To complicate matters further, when I needed medical leave during this stressful period, I experienced delays and errors in the handling of my pay from the school bookkeeper who administers payroll. These delays and errors compounded an already difficult medical leave at a time when I needed support, not additional stress.

“These past years at Saint Michael School have been the most fulfilling of my professional career, and I hoped to stay here until retirement. I wanted to remain to support the students, staff and families who made my time here so special. Unfortunately, staying is not possible.

“St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!”

The move comes on the heels of parents at St. Michael School expressing frustration and disappointment over the abrupt removal of Principal Ryan Klein, which was announced just weeks before the start of the new school year.

Parents describe Klein as a popular and effective leader who was well-liked by both students and staff. Several parents have said their children were attached to him and that his sudden departure has left the school community unsettled.

Families have gathered both in person and online to demand more information and transparency from the Diocese and parish leadership concerning the decision.

Parents also worry about how the sudden leadership change will affect the school’s stability, morale, and the upcoming school year.

The school initially released a statement on Klein’s removal that you can read here.

The Diocese later stated that a review of payroll and compensation records found “significant irregularities” and that proper documentation was lacking. Klein has strongly denied any wrongdoing and also released a statement you can find here.