The principal of Ardrey Kell High School has been suspended with pay for nearly a month without public explanation, prompting angry demands from parents for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to provide transparency about the personnel action.

Jamie Brooks, who has led the south Charlotte school since 2008, was suspended on May 2 according to district records obtained through a public records request. School officials have provided no information to parents, students or staff about the reason for her removal or when she might return.

The silence has sharply divided the school community during the final weeks of the academic year, with some parents defending Brooks as a dedicated advocate while others view the suspension as overdue action on longstanding concerns.

"I am extremely upset with the way that CMS has handled this situation. When you remove our principal and you don't tell us for three weeks, that is very suspicious," Kelly Ludwick, a parent who supports Brooks, said.

Other parents welcomed news of the suspension, citing unspecified issues under Brooks' leadership.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/ardrey-kell-parents-divided-over-principals-suspension/275-aefeb240-30a7-4000-8fbb-dab4b106c971

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