The administration at Chatt Prep was informed of the “need to terminate” a teacher at the school a full year before he was arrested on charges including sexual exploitation of a minor and kidnapping, records show.
The teacher, Kenya White, 32, was arrested Feb. 13 on charges stemming from his time as an employee of East Lake Academy, a magnet school in the Hamilton County school system. He was fired from Chatt Prep following his arrest.
In February 2023, the Chattanooga Police Department and the department of children’s services began looking into incidents that occurred at East Lake.
White was suspended without pay from East Lake in February 2023, and in May the school system notified him that his contract was not renewed for the 2023-24 academic year.
Examination of White’s files — obtained under state public records laws — continues to prompt more questions, specifically surrounding his resume and licensure status.