June 17, 2025

Chattanooga Prep Faces Charter Revocation Due to Licensing Issues

News Summary

Chattanooga Preparatory School’s future is at risk as Hamilton County Schools announce that 21 out of 45 teachers lack proper teaching licenses, jeopardizing students’ credits for graduation. This comes amid an investigation following the arrest of a former teacher on serious charges. The district is moving towards revocation of Chattanooga Prep’s charter due to violations of Tennessee’s teacher licensure laws, raising concerns among parents and community members about the school’s leadership and hiring practices.

Chattanooga

The future of Chattanooga Preparatory School is jeopardized after Hamilton County Schools revealed that 21 out of 45 teachers at the institution lack the proper teaching licenses. This licensing issue has significant implications for the high school students, as they are not earning valid credits necessary for graduation. Chattanooga Prep was anticipating its first graduating class in Spring 2025, but the current situation raises concerns about their preparedness for this milestone.

The investigation into the school intensified following the arrest of former teacher Kenya White, who faces multiple charges, including solicitation of a minor and other child sex crimes. White had been hired by Chattanooga Prep while under investigation by the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and had a prior disciplinary hold on his record, raising alarm about the school’s hiring practices.

In light of these revelations, Hamilton County Schools communicated that they were not aware of the licensure issues until very recently. A letter from the school district has signaled the intent to revoke Chattanooga Prep’s charter due to willful violations of Tennessee’s teacher licensure laws. The charter revocation process was officially initiated on April 17 and is set to take effect at the end of the current academic year.

Allegations suggest that the school administration misrepresented the qualifications of teachers in order to evade scrutiny from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). These misrepresentations have compounded the existing challenges, leading to significant concerns among parents and community members.

School Leadership’s Response

In response to the mounting concerns, leadership from Chattanooga Prep has held meetings with parents to tackle the issues head-on. The school has indicated its willingness to cooperate with Hamilton County Schools as it seeks to rectify the problems related to employment practices. During these discussions, Chatt Prep has maintained that the charter revocation is unwarranted, assuring families that operations will continue without interruption while they work through the licensure challenges.

Chattanooga Prep also recently secured $638,000 in scholarships for its senior class, reflecting its commitment to supporting students academically despite the turmoil. Parents have been encouraged to express their opinions at local school board meetings and to show support for the school through social media platforms.

Comparison with Other Schools

It is important to note that all other public charter schools within Hamilton County have been reported to operate with properly accredited teachers, which further highlights the severity of the situation at Chattanooga Prep. The disparities in teacher licensure and hiring practices between schools in the area may influence community perceptions and trust in the educational institution.

Conclusion

As Chattanooga Preparatory School navigates the complexities of the charter revocation process and the fallout from the teacher licensing scandal, the future of its educational offerings remains uncertain. Stakeholders are left waiting to see how the situation unfolds, particularly as it pertains to the students who may be adversely affected. The response from the leadership, the support from parents, and the cooperation with Hamilton County Schools will play pivotal roles in determining the path forward for the school and its community.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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