News Summary
Jamie Brooks, principal of Ardrey Kell High School, has been suspended with pay amid rising concerns over school violence, including incidents involving students. The suspension comes after a controversial altercation and has prompted parents to seek more transparency from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Meanwhile, assistant principal Tomica Wright will temporarily lead the school. The investigation continues while the community calls for clear communication regarding the situation.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Jamie Brooks, the principal of Ardrey Kell High School, has been suspended with pay as of May 2, 2025, amid ongoing concerns regarding school violence. The announcement was made by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in a message sent to families, identifying the matter as a personnel issue without providing specific details on the suspension.
During Brooks’ suspension, assistant principal Tomica Wright has been appointed to lead the school, with support from Crystal Houser, the performance area executive director. CMS has assured parents that the daily operations at Ardrey Kell will remain unaffected during this time.
Brooks has been the principal at Ardrey Kell since 2020, bringing substantial experience to the role. Before her tenure at Ardrey Kell, she served as principal at Community House Middle School for over a decade, from 2008 to 2020. Brooks began her career with CMS in 1994 as a middle school language arts teacher, building her experience in the school district over the years.
The suspension comes as the school has faced heightened scrutiny following a violent incident on March 7, involving a female Muslim student. The girl’s family alleged that she was attacked by a male student based on her race and religion, labeling the altercation as a hate crime. Although the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the FBI investigated the claim, they found no evidence supporting the hate crime accusation.
A second incident occurred shortly after, on March 19, which also involved a physical altercation among students. Video footage of this incident circulated among the community, although details regarding injuries and motivations were not made clear. In light of these occurrences, CMS has reiterated its strict policy against violence and has pledged that disciplinary actions will be taken against those involved in such behavior.
Despite assurances from CMS, many parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the level of transparency concerning Brooks’ suspension. An initial communication regarding her absence only referred to it as a temporary leave and did not explicitly acknowledge the suspension, leading to concerns within the community about the situation. In response, parents have initiated a petition advocating for Brooks, criticizing the district for its delayed communication and calling for transparency. The petition emphasizes the need for continuity in school leadership during a time of uncertainty.
Brooks’ career in educational leadership has not been without controversy. Before her appointment at Ardrey Kell, her predecessor David Switzer was suspended in June 2020 due to allegations of misconduct. Additionally, Brooks was named a defendant in a lawsuit filed in 2024 concerning a student injury during a track practice; however, this case was dismissed in March 2025.
The context of the recent incidents involving violence at Ardrey Kell has highlighted underlying concerns about student safety and school climate. CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill previously addressed lapses in communication regarding another critical incident earlier in the year, which involved shooting threats against the school. This has increased scrutiny on the school district’s response to such issues.
As the investigation into Brooks’ suspension continues, the community awaits further updates from CMS regarding both her status and the circumstances leading to the decision. In the meantime, the leadership change at Ardrey Kell will be closely observed as the school navigates these challenging times.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Charlotte Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Messages
Charlotte Family Seeks Justice After Daughter’s High School Attack
Assault on Muslim Student Raises Concerns at Charlotte School
Charlotte Community Outraged Over Assault on Muslim Student
Ardrey Kell High School Families on Alert After Threat
Parents and Teachers Outraged Over Delayed School Threat Notifications
Additional Resources
- WBTV
- Wikipedia: Charlotte, North Carolina
- QC News
- Google Search: Ardrey Kell High School
- Charlotte Observer
- Google Scholar: school violence
- WCNC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education leadership
- WSOC TV
- Google News: Ardrey Kell High School suspension
Author: HERE Charlotte
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