Hamilton County Schools is hopeful Chattanooga Preparatory School’s class of 2025 will be able to graduate on time but cannot say so definitively, according to a statement from the system.
“We are currently verifying senior credits and taking any necessary corrective actions to ensure that the senior class will graduate on time,” the statement said. “More collaboration is needed before we can state this definitively.”
The students’ eligibility for diplomas is in question after a district investigation revealed 21 out of about 50 teachers at the school lacked proper credentials. On March 12, Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, sent a letter to Chatt Prep that said he plans to recommend the school board revoke Chatt Prep’s charter during the April 17 board meeting.
Chatt Prep awards diplomas, Elizabeth Fiveash, CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center, said in a statement before the school system released its statement Friday.
“There is no law that would specifically prevent these students from graduating or invalidate their credits based solely on the licensure status of the teacher in the classroom,” Fiveash said in the statement. “We hope Hamilton County will not pursue any action that would negatively impact any student.”