News Summary
Jamie Brooks, the principal of Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC, has been suspended with pay due to ongoing concerns over incidents at the school. Assistant Principal Tomica Wright will assume her duties during the suspension. Brooks, who has been part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools since 1994, faces scrutiny from the community following recent violent occurrences among students. Parents are expressing their support for Brooks while demanding better communication and safety practices from the school district.
Charlotte, NC – Principal Jamie Brooks of Ardrey Kell High School has been suspended with pay as of May 2, 2025, amidst ongoing concerns about recent incidents within the school. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district has confirmed the suspension but stated that it falls under personnel matters, which limits additional information they can share.
During Brooks’ suspension, Assistant Principal Tomica Wright will take over as the lead administrator, with the support of Performance Area Executive Director Crystal Houser. Parents were informed through email communication that Brooks would be “away for a period” and were reassured that school operations would continue normally in her absence.
Brooks has been a part of CMS since 1994, serving in various capacities, with her most recent role being principal at Community House Middle School from 2008 to 2020. She became the principal of Ardrey Kell High School in 2020, taking over from David Switzer, who was also suspended earlier due to misconduct allegations. At present, Brooks’s salary stands at $189,915.02, and she is under a four-year contract set to expire in 2026.
Prior to this suspension, there had been no public disciplinary actions against Brooks, leading to questions and concerns from the community regarding the reasons for her abrupt leave. This situation arises within a broader context of heightened community concerns following violent incidents at Ardrey Kell High School earlier this year. Notably, there was an altercation on March 7 that involved a Muslim student and a Black student, which was reported to have racially charged elements. This incident garnered scrutiny from the NAACP and subsequently led to an FBI investigation, though no evidence of a hate crime was found.
Another incident occurred on March 19, when a fight was recorded by students. Specific details regarding injuries or the motivations behind this event remain unclear. The school community has since expressed frustration regarding communication from CMS and the handling of these violent episodes. Parents have launched a petition in support of Brooks, voicing a desire for better transparency from the district regarding safety concerns and disciplinary actions.
The district has faced prior criticism over its response to incidents at the school. Earlier in the school year, there was a delayed reaction to shooting threats, further aggravating parents’ concerns about the school’s safety protocols and its overall handling of violent behavior among students.
In light of Brooks’ suspension, parents and community members are being urged to maintain support for her and strive for stability within the Ardrey Kell High School community. The situation underscores ongoing challenges and discussions about school safety, effective leadership, and the importance of clear communication from the school district as it navigates these sensitive issues.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Ardrey Kell High School Principal Suspended
- QC News: Principal Suspended with Pay
- Charlotte Observer: Ardrey Kell Principal’s Suspension
- WSOC TV: Principal of Ardrey Kell Suspended
- Google Search: Ardrey Kell High School Principal Suspension
