Hopewell High School principal resigned days after being suspended by CMS

Former Hopewell High School Principal LeDuan Pratt announced his resignation “effective immediately” days after being suspended, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed.

Pratt initially was suspended with pay Aug. 19, one week before the start of the school year. CMS did not give a reason for the suspension.

“We cannot state a reason as we cannot comment on personnel issues,” CMS officials wrote to The Observer in an email Aug. 23.

CMS then announced Wednesday, the day after Pratt’s resignation, that James Vanosdall would serve as the new principal of Hopewell High School . Vanosdall was previously principal at Bradley Middle School, a feeder school for Hopewell. The change was first reported by WCNC .

“Principal Vanosdall is a former Hopewell assistant principal and is excited to return,” the message said. “This assignment is due to Principal Pratt’s resignation.”

Vanosdall also sent a letter to the Hopewell community Wednesday.

“ It is truly an honor to join the Titan family as your next principal,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the Titan tradition of community involvement, academic excellence and celebrating staff and student achievements.”

Leduan Pratt’s prior suspension

Pratt was named principal of Garinger High School in 2022 prior to moving to Hopewell, which is located in northern Mecklenburg County near the Huntersville city limits.

CMS previously suspended Pratt along with two other administrators in 2018 when he was principal of Carmel Middle School, the Observer previously reported. CMS did not give a reason for the 2018 suspension at the time but confirmed there was no “improper behavior by CMS personnel towards any student and there is no criminal investigation of any CMS personnel related to this.”