Longtime CMS educator named new principal of Ardrey Kell High School

Community House Middle School principal Jamie Brooks has been named the new principal at Ardrey Kell High School, officials announced Monday.

Brooks replaces David Switzer, who led Ardrey Kell for 10 years before he was reassigned to a central office position this month. Switzer was suspended with pay in June during an investigation after students and alumni called for his resignation over his handling of racial incidents at the school.

Brooks, a longtime CMS educator, has worked for the district since 1994. She has been principal at Community House for the past 12 years. Her new role is a return to Ardrey Kell, having served as an assistant principal there from 2007 to 2008.

The district said Brooks was selected after seven profile sessions with students, staff members and parents to guide the search for a new principal. She embodies the qualities those constituents wanted, the district said in a news release.

“Ms. Brooks has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her time in CMS,” Superintendent Earnest Winston said in a statement. “We would like to thank the Ardrey Kell High School community for partnering with our learning community team in developing the principal profile. She demonstrates the characteristics and attributes they were looking for in their next leader.”

Brooks comes to Ardrey Kell after Switzer’s polarizing suspension. Critics said Switzer did not do enough to discipline students involved in racial incidents, while supporters said he could not be held responsible for the actions of students.

The result was two competing petitions that drew thousands of signatures apiece. One called on Switzer to resign over his handling of racial incidents while another praised his leadership.

On July 8, CMS said Switzer and district officials agreed that it was time for a change in leadership at Ardrey Kell. He moved to a new job as executive director of continuous improvement and logistics, while keeping his salary of $144,739.

Brooks has also taught at Carmel Middle School from 1994 to 2000, and served as assistant principal at Mint Hill Middle from 2003 to 2007.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Winthrop University.

Ardrey Kell, with 3,400 students, is the largest in North Carolina.

This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 6:32 PM.