Jamie Brooks, the principal of Ardrey Kell High School, has been suspended with pay, as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed. Details regarding the suspension remain sparse, with the district indicating that this is a personnel issue and withholding further comment. According to Queen City News, Brooks' suspension began earlier this month.
Brooks has an extensive history with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, starting as a middle school language arts teacher in 1994 and moving up the ranks to serve as an assistant principal in several schools. She assumed the principal role at Ardrey Kell High School in 2020. The district's records reflect Brooks' annual salary at $189,915.02 and a contract that runs through 2026, as reported by Queen City News. There have been no previously listed public disciplinary actions against her.
WCNC Charlotte noted that before her time at Ardrey Kell, Brooks served as principal at Community House Middle School beginning in 2008 and was previously an assistant principal at the high school from 2007 to 2008. Her career also spans back to a teaching position at Carmel Middle School from 1994 to 2000.
Meanwhile, the school is operating under altered leadership, with Assistant Principal Tomica Wright stepping in as the lead school administrator, supported by Performance Area Executive Director Crystal Houser. "We understand that this change may cause some concerns, but rest assured that this will not affect the daily operations of the school," a district spokesperson said in a message to families, according to WBTV.
The prior principal of Ardrey Kell, David Switzer, was also suspended amidst misconduct allegations in June of 2020 and was later reassigned, WCNC Charlotte reported.
