News Summary
Teachers at Ardrey Kell High School protested the suspension of Principal Jamie Brooks by calling out sick, demanding transparency from CMS. Despite the protest, school remained open with 500 students. A petition has gathered over 900 signatures for clarity on Brooks’s situation. Upcoming Board of Education meeting may provide a platform for concerns regarding administrative actions. The context includes anticipated absences due to a larger rally for public education funding, highlighting ongoing tensions in the community.
Charlotte, NC – Several teachers at Ardrey Kell High School protested the suspension of Principal Jamie Brooks on Monday by calling out sick, demanding clarity regarding the decisions made by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). The demonstration took place along Ardrey Kell Road, where teachers displayed signs with messages such as “Bring back Brooks!” and “United for Jamie.”
Principal Jamie Brooks was suspended with pay on May 2, but nearly a month later, CMS announced her retirement without providing an explanation for either event. The lack of transparency has prompted significant backlash from the school community, leading teachers, parents, and students to express their support for Brooks and call for answers. Despite the protest, Ardrey Kell High School remained open, with approximately 500 students present, as the district confirmed that sufficient substitute teachers were available to cover for absent staff.
The efforts to seek clarity regarding Brooks’s situation have resulted in a petition circulating on Change.org, which has already collected over 900 signatures advocating for greater transparency from CMS. Support for the teachers’ stance has been echoed by parents frustrated with the lack of communication about the circumstances surrounding Brooks’s suspension and her subsequent retirement.
Upcoming Board of Education Meeting
In addition to the protest, teachers and parents are preparing to voice their concerns at the upcoming Board of Education meeting scheduled for Thursday. This meeting is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to express their demand for more information related to the administration’s actions concerning Brooks.
Context of the Situation
The suspension of Principal Brooks occurred against the backdrop of anticipated teacher absences due to a larger protest rally organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators, centered around public education funding. CMS Superintendent Keith Wilcox had previously declared May 1 an optional teacher workday due to expected staff shortages caused by the rally in Raleigh, which advocates for increased pay and resources for public education. The district anticipated a significant rise in staff absence requests on that day.
Wilcox highlighted that ensuring sufficient substitutes was a primary consideration behind the decision to cancel classes, emphasizing the district’s commitment to supporting educators who wish to voice their concerns regarding educational issues. He also acknowledged the teachers’ frustrations stemming from CMS’s handling of Brooks’s situation.
As the school year approaches its conclusion, with the last day for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools set for June 10, the ongoing developments around Brooks’s suspension and retirement continue to fuel discussions among educators, parents, and community members, all advocating for a clearer understanding of administrative changes at Ardrey Kell High School.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Teachers, parents protest suspension of Ardrey Kell principal Jamie Brooks
- WSOC TV: Teachers protest, parents petition after Ardrey Kell principal retires amid suspension
- US News: North Carolina teachers walk out for better pay
- Charlotte Observer: Community reacts to suspension of Ardrey Kell principal
- Google Search: school administration transparency
