News Summary
Jamie Brooks, principal of Ardrey Kell High School, has been suspended with pay by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, leading to community outcry. Parents are seeking transparency regarding the reasons for her suspension, which CMS has labeled a personnel matter. Brooks has served CMS for over 30 years and became principal in 2020. Her suspension has sparked a divide among parents, some supporting her leadership, while others question it, especially in light of recent incidents at the school. The situation remains fluid as parents plan to address the school board for clarity.
Charlotte, NC – Jamie Brooks, principal of Ardrey Kell High School, has been suspended with pay since May 2, 2025. The suspension, enacted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), has ignited significant controversy and concern among parents and the local community.
Brooks, 53, has dedicated over three decades to CMS, starting her career in 1994 as a middle school language arts teacher. She has since ascended through various roles, including assistant principal positions, to ultimately become the principal of Ardrey Kell in 2020. Her current contract is a four-year agreement with a salary of $189,915.02, set to run through 2026.
Despite the suspension, CMS has not disclosed the reasons behind the decision, labeling it as a personnel matter and thereby maintaining confidentiality. The lack of clarity surrounding Brooks’ suspension has left many parents feeling frustrated and demanding greater transparency from the district regarding the situation.
Concerns have been further amplified by the initial communication from CMS, which merely indicated that Brooks was “away for a period,” without mentioning the suspension explicitly. This vague messaging has raised alarms among parents regarding the district’s overall communication practices.
The school community has reacted in diverse ways, reflecting a split in opinion regarding Brooks’ leadership. While some parents have expressed support for Brooks, highlighting her dedication to advocacy for students, others believe the suspension may have been deserved due to unspecified issues within her leadership style. The division among parents is evident, with many planning to attend the upcoming school board meeting in June to seek answers about the situation.
Brooks has faced challenges during her tenure at Ardrey Kell, including a lawsuit filed in 2024, in which she was named as a defendant for a student injury that allegedly occurred during an unsupervised track practice. This case was dismissed in March and did not result in any further action against her. Notably, Brooks is the second principal at Ardrey Kell to face administrative issues, following her predecessor David Switzer, who was suspended for misconduct in June 2020.
Additional incidents at the school, including a recent violent altercation linked to racial tensions, have compounded anxieties among parents regarding the school’s leadership and management. As a result, some parents have initiated a petition in support of Brooks, urging CMS to improve communication and transparency. They view her as a competent leader who stands firm in advocating for her students’ needs.
In Brooks’ absence, assistant principal Tomica Wright has been temporarily appointed as the lead administrator at Ardrey Kell. This has prompted parents to reflect on the leadership dynamics within the school, with calls growing for CMS to clarify the circumstances surrounding Brooks’ suspension as the community seeks direction and assurances regarding their children’s educational environment.
As parents continue to rally for transparency, the situation remains fluid, with many in the community eagerly anticipating further clarification from CMS and the school board in the coming weeks.
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Additional Resources
- QC News
- Wikipedia: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- WCNC
- Google Search: Ardrey Kell High School
- WBTV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- WSOC TV
- Google News: Jamie Brooks Ardrey Kell
- WCCB Charlotte
- Google Scholar: Ardrey Kell High School principal suspension
- Charlotte Observer
