By Gordon Anderson | gordon@rantnc.com
A newly reconstituted Central Carolina Academy board of directors reversed course in July after months of controversy, casting a series of unanimous votes to rehire two administrators with whom they’d parted ways back in May and dismantle much of the charter school’s previous governance structure.
Greg Batten and Mary Tatum had been the school’s principal and assistant principal until late May, when Batten took an unexpected retirement and the school declined to renew Tatum’s contract. Assistant Principal Frank Thompson resigned shortly after. All three were involved with the school’s founding, and many parents said they played a large role in the decision to send their children to CCA.
The unexpected moves prompted an outcry from parents, students and even some staff, who packed a number of board meetings in June and July with questions about whether the decisions came from the board or Central Services, a group of employees from Chatham Charter School in Siler City who provided central office services for both schools. CCA was founded as a replication of Chatham Charter, one of the oldest charter schools in North Carolina, but the move to sever ties with Central Services appears to be a step away from the replication model on which CCA was founded.
Charter schools are governed by independent nonprofit boards rather than local school districts which govern traditional public schools.
Four of CCA’s board members left between May and July and two new members took seats last month. The newly reconstituted board moved quickly to end the arrangement which had become the heart of the controversy, voting unanimously in a series of meetings on July 23 and 28 to end its relationship with Central Services, retain a new attorney, and ultimately make Batten CCA’s new interim head of school – essentially the role Central Services had filled – and bring Tatum back as assistant principal. The board hired Jay Czap as principal on July 13.
Board member Travis Poole became chairman at a July meeting after new members were seated. He said after the moves to cut ties with Central Services and rehire Tatum and Batten that the group did so because “basically it was the right thing to do.”
“Our charter says that CCA is to have a head of a school than answers to the board and a principal that answers to the head of school,” he said. “And that Central Services is there as a central office and support. Somehow that got turned around.”
Batten and Tatum both said they’re thrilled with the way things turned out.
“There have been so many great accomplishments by so many people here,” Batten said after the votes. “I’m just wanting to focus on moving forward and not looking back. We want to get things calmed down and reassure families and the community that CCA is the place to be for many families.”
“I got (to school) at 7 a.m. today,” Tatum said when reached on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of work to be done, and I’m just overwhelmed by all the support – from staff, from parents, even students.”
Thompson told The Rant on Tuesday that he’d be available to support Batten and Tatum in any way he could.
“I’m all in for the school,” he said. “Whatever they need, I’ll be open to.”
The Rant reported in July about the school’s relationship with Central Services and questions about how supervisory authority was divided between Central Services and CCA’s board. Public records and statements from board members showed the group supervised school administrators and functioned as the central office for both CCA and Chatham Charter, though the board retained ultimate legal authority over the school. Many of those objecting to the chain of events raised questions about whether that governance structure was functioning as intended in practice.
Those questions intensified after parents learned the board had adopted governance changes in November 2025 that expanded Central Services’ role by giving it supervisory authority over the administration. During packed board meetings, some argued the arrangement gave the group too much influence over school operations, while board leaders at the time defended it as an appropriate structure for a replication charter school.
Great news. I’ve known Mary James 55 years and would trust her to handle anything the right way.
It appears that there is lack of clarity of the ‘roles and responsibilities’ of the two organizations, Central Services and CCA Board of Directors. Until both organizations understand the breadth and limitations of their authority (as defined in their Bylaws or similar document), there remains the possibility of such conflicts in the future which can harm the school’s good reputation. So, I suggest to both organizations, “get your act together” for the sake of children/students you are charged with serving.
A former public school administrator and nonprofit executive director
This is fantastic news and great reporting! I am glad that we finally have answers about what actually transpired. I absolutely LOVE the fact that the school was able to sever ties with Chatham Charter, and am extremely hopeful to get my daughter enrolled for 6th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.
Thank you so much to The Rant for reporting on this fantastic news!