HCHS teacher resigns
Kaeleigh Qualls resigned from her teaching position at Hart County High School on December 3. Photo: Raider Report-HCHSKentucky Facebook Page.
Mary Beth Sallee
Managing Editor
Hart Co. News-Herald
A teacher at Hart County High School has resigned following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
According to a December 9 email received from Hart County Assistant Superintendent Bo Chenoweth, Makayla Qualls (Kaeleigh Blair Qualls) is no longer employed by Hart County Schools.
“She submitted her resignation effective December 3, 2024,” Chenoweth wrote.
According to documents previously received from the Hart County School District on November 18, Superintendent Nathan Smith sent a letter to Qualls on October 24, 2024 stating that she would be suspended with pay “…to conduct an inquiry into allegations of misconduct.” In a second letter from Smith to Qualls dated November 7, 2024, Smith stated that the investigation into the alleged misconduct of Qualls was still ongoing at that time.
Currently, the school district has released no additional information regarding Qualls or the investigation into the alleged misconduct.
The Hart County News-Herald additionally reached out to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in November regarding the matter. According to Jennifer Ginn, KDE Communications Director, the KDE does not release information on complaints.
“That is, we do not tell the public whether or not we have a current complaint on an individual,” Ginn explained.
Ginn further stated that the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) does not have not have any jurisdiction over an individual’s termination or other district discipline.
“EPSB has jurisdiction over the educator’s licensure and can take action on a license for violations of KRS 161.120 or 16 KAR 1:020,” Ginn said.
According to Ginn, when a superintendent is notified of the potential misconduct of a teacher, it is the superintendents’ duty to report to EPSB as outlined in KRS 161.120(3).
“Per the statute, superintendents shall submit a report of the allegations to EPSB ‘…within thirty (30) calendar days of the event giving rise to the duty to report,’” Ginn said.
As of December 12, Qualls was still included in the faculty and staff directory on the school district’s website. Additionally, she is also still listed on the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS) on the Kentucky Department of Education website.
