In mid-October 2026, a criminal complaint was filed in Minnesota regarding Dr. Mary Lynn Donaldson, who recently became employed as a special education teacher by the School District of Phillips. The charges are first-degree and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. These charges stem from a former student in Minnesota and not from anyone in Phillips. (The article continues after the graphic.)
Graphic credit: School District of Phillips
The "welcome" graphic that was posted on the School District of Phillips' Facebook page, but has since been removed, mentioned Dr. Donaldson coming from Alaska to teach in Phillips. There is no mention of her time in Minnesota.
Looking at some of her work history, she was at a school in Wisconsin in 2016. According to the Sevastopol Board of Education minutes for January 7, 2016, there was a motion for the Board to exercise its right to "not extend the contract of Mary Donaldson under the terms of Paragraph 2 of the existing contract. Under this provision, the contract may be extended at the sole discretion of the Board of Education." She was placed on administrative leave in February 2016 and resigned in April 2016. A misuse of federal funds, budget issues, problems with elementary staff, and numerous performance issues were the reasons for her departure, according to documents obtained by Door County Advocate.
The current charges, however, come from her time at a school in Minnesota, located in Hennepin County, before she worked in Sevastopol. The complaint alleges that the person, who is now an adult, was a teenage boy at the time when he moved in with Donaldson, who was the school's principal. The alleged victim told police that the sexual abuse started when he was 14 or 15 years old. Allegations are that she bribed the student to keep him from reporting the abuse. Robbinsdale police received the report of the alleged abuse in December 2025 and charges were filed in October 2026. Her first court appearance is reportedly scheduled for November 9, 2026.
Thanks to a news tip from a resident of Price County, My Price County became aware of this situation. Residents shared concerns and questions as the School District of Phillips was allegedly not giving information to parents. The morning of Monday, October 26, 2026, My Price County sent the following questions to Superintendent Rachel Hoffman regarding Dr. Donaldson.
Is Dr. Donaldson the person who has charges filed against her in Minnesota for allegedly sexually abusing a student?
What dates was she employed with the School District of Phillips as the elementary special education teacher?
Did she go by the nickname of "Doc" with students?
Her "welcome graphic" on the Facebook page of the School District of Phillips mentioned she was coming here from Alaska, but there was no mention of her time teaching in Minnesota. On her application, did she omit being employed in Minnesota?
How did the School District of Phillips learn of the accusations against Dr. Donaldson?
Were parents notified of her departure and the allegations? If so, how? If not, why not?
Were there any reports of her being inappropriate with students in the School District of Phillips?
Was she fired, just allowed to resign, or how was her employment ended with the School District of Phillips? If just asked to resign, as has allegedly been the case with other staff members accused of misconduct in the past, how do other school districts, where these individuals may seek future employment, know they were accused of misconduct? If a district does not know about allegations, such as Phillips potentially not knowing about Dr. Donaldson's allegations against her from Minnesota, how does that not continue the possible threat to more children, especially when staff members have the mandatory reporting obligation?
Some parents state that Phillips is not transparent when staff members are accused of sexual abuse of children, drug charges, or other things that parents feel they should know about. Is there going to be more transparency in the future with these topics? If so, how? Will you issue press releases on these situations? If not, why not?
Superintendent Rachel Hoffman was asked to reply by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, but she missed the requested deadline. If My Price County receives a reply, this article will be updated with her response. However, she sent the following message to parents and staff at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 26 (after My Price County sent the questions to her):
Dear School District of Phillips families and staff,
As some of you are aware, one of our teachers is facing criminal charges in Minnesota. Because law enforcement in Minnesota investigated and then filed the charges, there is probable cause supporting the allegations. But I also note that there is a presumption of innocence. As a result, on the advice of legal counsel, we have suspended the teacher without pay pending resolution of that criminal matter.
Because the alleged criminal conduct did not involve any of our students, and, in fact, did not even occur in Wisconsin, the District will not investigate. But, once the criminal matter is resolved in Minnesota, the District will reevaluate the teacher's employment status. In the meantime, we have taken steps to ensure that the teacher's students will continue to receive a quality education.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If My Price County receives more information, this article will be updated.