July 22, 2025

Chattanooga Preparatory School Faces Probation Over Teacher Licensing Issues

News Summary

Chattanooga Preparatory School is under probation due to serious teacher licensing concerns, with nearly half of its staff lacking verified licenses. The school must confirm compliance with state standards for grades 6-11 by July 18. Investigations have revealed unlicensed teachers, raising safety concerns following the arrest of a former teacher. In response, the school is making staffing changes and improving hiring practices to restore confidence among parents and the community.

Chattanooga, Tennessee – Chattanooga Preparatory School is starting the new school year under probation due to serious concerns over teacher licensing. In April 2025, Hamilton County Schools placed the charter school on probation after an investigation uncovered that nearly half of its teachers were not holding verified licenses. The situation has raised alarms regarding student safety and has led to a reevaluation of the school’s hiring practices and governance.

The investigation revealed that Chatt Prep had until July 18th to confirm that all courses for grades 6 through 11 were taught according to state standards. The unregulated licensing posed significant questions regarding the credibility of the credits earned by graduating seniors, although the school has already verified the credits of seniors who graduated prior to these licensing issues.

Currently, Hamilton County Schools is reviewing the information provided by Chatt Prep to assess whether the school can be removed from probationary status. Rachel Emond, the Strategic Project & Policy Coordinator for Hamilton County Schools, has been providing updates regarding the situation through email communications.

The licensing commission scandal intensified following the arrest of former teacher Kenya White, who faced charges of child sexual exploitation. White, who was unlicensed while employed at Chatt Prep, was arrested in February 2025 as part of a two-year investigation by authorities. In June 2025, White pled guilty to federal charges of enticement of a minor, admitting to soliciting inappropriate images from students via text and Snapchat.

The ensuing legal troubles surrounding White initiated investigations into the hiring practices and overall oversight at Chattanooga Preparatory School. During this investigation, it was determined that 21 out of 45 teachers were unlicensed, prompting Hamilton County Schools to intervene. As a result, in an effort to stabilize the school’s administration and direction, Troy Kemp was appointed as the new CEO, with Chad Everett taking on the role of Vice President of Schools.

The decision to allow Chatt Prep to continue operating under probation, rather than revoking its charter altogether, was made based on the new leadership’s willingness to cooperate. This arrangement aims to address compliance expectations and improve hiring practices at the school, ensuring that all instructional staff comply with state guidelines.

In response to the crisis, Chatt Prep has undertaken several corrective measures, including verifying teacher licenses, auditing student transcripts, and overhauling human resource procedures to ensure proper licensing in the future. A spokesperson for Chatt Prep indicated that they would provide updates on their probationary status as more information becomes available.

The complications at Chatt Prep are particularly concerning, given that White was previously employed at East Lake Academy while under investigation by the Department of Children Services (DCS) for suspicious activities, raising further alarms regarding oversight in educational institutions. The incidents have sparked widespread concern among parents and community members about student safety and the governance of charter schools in Tennessee.

As the situation develops, many in the Chattanooga community are watching closely for advancements that may restore confidence in the school’s operations and commitment to providing a safe learning environment for its students.

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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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