Chattanooga Preparatory School Faces Compliance Issues

Community members expressing concerns in front of Chattanooga Preparatory School

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News Summary

Chattanooga Preparatory School (Chatt Prep) is under scrutiny due to significant compliance issues regarding the education of students with special needs. A recent Letter of Deficiency outlines concerns over special education services, including teacher licensing problems. Principal Diamond Kelley has been suspended as investigations reveal that several teachers lack active teaching licenses. Hamilton County Schools are monitoring the situation and have requested documentation concerning the school’s compliance with special education laws. The community awaits updates amid these troubling developments that may impact students’ futures.

Concerns Arise at Chattanooga Preparatory School

In the vibrant city of Chattanooga, recent developments have put Chattanooga Preparatory School, fondly known as Chatt Prep, under the microscope. Hamilton County Schools have flagged some significant compliance issues related to how well the school is catering to students with special needs. The school is said to be falling short of meeting state law requirements, which has raised eyebrows and excitement among concerned parents and community members.

A Letter of Deficiency Sparks Attention

Late January saw Chatt Prep receiving a official Letter of Deficiency, outlining several areas where the school is reportedly not meeting the necessary standards. This letter, dated January 23, came after a recent review which revealed worrying gaps in the school’s special needs education services. This is particularly concerning since Hamilton County Schools had previously authorized Chatt Prep by approving its charter application, including oversight of services meant for these students.

Teacher Licensing Woes

One of the red flags raised by the letter involves a teacher at Chatt Prep who is responsible for special education. The letter pointed out that the licensing status of this teacher could be a problem. Particularly, it has become apparent that Brandie Morgan, who serves as the case manager for ten students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), may not have the valid state certification required for her role.

Authorities found that a previous staff member, Kenya White, who was recently indicted on serious charges like kidnapping and child sexual exploitation, was hired despite not having an active teaching license. White’s temporary teaching permit had expired in June 2023, yet he was brought on board in January 2024, raising questions about the hiring processes at Chatt Prep. As if that weren’t enough, further investigations uncovered that, of the teachers listed on the school’s website, at least 11 did not hold active teaching licenses as per state records!

Leadership Under Scrutiny

With these alarming revelations, it’s no surprise that Principal Diamond Kelley of Chatt Prep is currently suspended. Her connection to the hiring of the now-indicted White has cast doubt over her administrative decisions. Notably, prior to the issuance of the Letter of Deficiency, Kelley was already facing challenges with an improvement plan. This has left many questioning which areas of management might need immediate attention.

A Path Forward

Hamilton County Schools is taking the proactive approach of closely monitoring compliance with special needs education laws at Chatt Prep. They are insisting that the school quickly provide documentation to verify the legitimacy of Brandie Morgan’s teaching license. If it turns out that she does not have one, they will need to act fast to reassign her students to someone who is properly licensed.

Interestingly, the school does have at least one case manager who is licensed and currently manages a hefty caseload of 75 students. This gives a glimmer of hope that all might not be lost at Chatt Prep, but it clearly emphasizes the need for some major structural improvements.

Seeking Answers

As the community waits with bated breath, Chatt Prep has been reached out to for comments regarding the issues highlighted in the Letter of Deficiency. Parents and supporters of the school hope that updates will emerge soon, offering some clarity on what’s being done to aid their children’s special needs education.

In these critical times, awareness and transparency are more important than ever. The future of many students hangs in the balance, and everyone is hoping for a swift resolution to these pressing compliance issues. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.