Hart County teacher under investigation

By Mary Beth Sallee
Managing Editor
Hart County News-Herald

An ongoing investigation is currently underway pending allegations of misconduct against a teacher at Hart County High School.

According to documents received from the Hart County School District on November 18, Superintendent Nathan Smith sent a letter to teacher Makayla Qualls (Kaeleigh Blair Qualls) on October 24, 2024. In that letter, Smith states that pursuant to Board Policy 03.173, Qualls would be suspended with pay for up to 10 working days from all employment duties with Hart County Schools.

Smith further states in the letter, “The reason for your suspension is to conduct an inquiry into allegations of misconduct…While suspended you should not have contact with students or staff in any manner which would interfere with the investigation or which might cause a disruption of the educational process, and you should not be on any school district property or at any school district event or activity except as may be directed or authorized by me or my designee. You are directed to refrain from accessing any accounts, databases, or communication systems relating to your job duties during the period of suspension. If you have any personal items at the school which you need access to during the period of your suspension, please let me know so arrangements can be made to get those to you.”

A second letter was sent from Smith to Qualls on November 7, 2024. In that letter, Smith states that the investigation into the alleged misconduct of Qualls was still ongoing and that, pursuant to Board Policy 03.173, her suspension with pay would be extended an additional 15 working days.

“You will be notified by me once a determination has been made regarding whether you can return to active service or face disciplinary action,” Smith states in the letter. “…This suspension with pay is a routine practice of this and other school districts when allegations of misconduct have been made against a school district employee. This suspension is a neutral employment practice. It is not disciplinary in nature, and does not represent any final determination as to the truth or falsity of the allegations being investigated.”

On behalf of the Hart County School District, the Hart County News-Herald also received the following statement via email from Assistant Superintendent Bo Chenoweth: “Hart County Schools can confirm that information was shared with our local sheriff regarding allegations of misconduct concerning a teacher for the school system. After receiving that report from the sheriff, Superintendent Smith suspended the teacher with pay in accordance with board policy while the District conducted its investigation. At this time, the investigation is still ongoing, so the District has no further comment. There are also no additional records to share other than what is attached to this email because the investigation is ongoing.”

The Hart County News-Herald additionally reached out to the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the matter, but no phone call was returned. Kentucky State Police and the Hart County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment as the investigation is ongoing.

Greg Cecil, Principal of Hart County High School, made the following statement: “Any comment that needs to be made needs to come from our Central Office…I am making no comment whatsoever. Any communication needs to come from our district office.”

According to the Raider Report-HCHSKentucky page on Facebook, Kaeleigh Qualls began her employment at HCHS in 2022. The Hart County Schools website currently has Qualls listed as a faculty member with Hart County High School and Green River College & Career Academy. Her title is listed as Local Career & Tech Instructor, Business.