Huntsville, Alabama, August 5, 2025
News Summary
Brandy Taylor, a special education teacher at Hampton Cove Middle School, has been suspended as the school district reviews her previous assault charges from 2017 involving a child. The decision comes after community concerns regarding her past actions. During the review period, Taylor is restricted from all HCS campuses while a substitute teacher is assigned. The district emphasizes its commitment to student safety and transparent communication with families throughout the investigation process.
Huntsville, Alabama – Brandy Taylor, a special education teacher at Hampton Cove Middle School, has been suspended from her position as the school district conducts an internal personnel review related to her past assault charges involving a child. The decision to suspend Taylor comes after concerns arose regarding her 2017 arrest and subsequent conviction for charges involving child abuse.
In December 2017, Taylor was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after an incident where she allegedly hit, bit, and struck a child with a belt. At that time, she was employed at a school in Albertville, Alabama. Following the incident, Taylor resigned from her position and later appealed the assault charge, ultimately being found guilty of harassment instead. This conviction resulted in a sentence of 60 days, with 30 days to be served in jail and 24 months of probation.
Principal Kris Martinez of Hampton Cove Middle School confirmed that Brandy Taylor has been employed by the Huntsville City Schools (HCS) district since 2020. During her hiring process, she successfully passed the required background check conducted by the Alabama State Department of Education. The principal also addressed parental concerns, noting that these arise from events that predates her employment with HCS.
Due to the severity of the previous incident and ongoing concerns, the school has taken precautionary measures. Taylor is barred from entering the Hampton Cove campus or any other HCS campus while the internal review is in progress. This restriction ensures that she has no contact with students during the evaluation. In her absence, a substitute teacher will be assigned to work with affected students to minimize disruption in their learning environment.
The school district has committed to a comprehensive review of the situation and will keep families informed as the investigation unfolds. Evidence from the 2017 incident included photos that showed welting marks, bruises, and redness around the victim’s eyes, which authorities determined were inconsistent with acceptable disciplinary methods.
Huntsville City Schools is dedicated to maintaining student safety and has requested patience and understanding from families during this internal process, emphasizing their commitment to a thorough investigation that addresses all community concerns.
Background Context
The issues surrounding Brandy Taylor’s past actions have raised alarms within the community and prompted an increased focus on teacher safety and student welfare in schools. With the rise in public scrutiny regarding school environments, especially concerning the safety of children, incidents like this underscore the importance of transparency and diligence in personnel evaluations. The school’s proactive approach is intended to reinforce the trust parents place in educational institutions.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Teacher’s Name | Brandy Taylor |
| Position | Special Education Teacher |
| School | Hampton Cove Middle School |
| Suspension Reason | Ongoing internal personnel review due to past assault charges |
| Incident Date | December 2017 |
| Original Charges | Third-degree assault |
| Current Status | Out of classroom; substitute teacher assigned |
| School District Commitment | Ensuring student safety and conducting thorough review |
FAQs
Why was Brandy Taylor suspended from Hampton Cove Middle School?
Brandy Taylor was suspended due to an internal personnel review prompted by her past arrest for assaulting a child in 2017.
What were the charges against Brandy Taylor in 2017?
Taylor was originally charged with third-degree assault, but later appealed and was convicted of harassment.
What actions has the school taken during the review process?
The school has suspended Taylor from campus and assigned a substitute teacher to ensure that affected students continue to receive education during the investigation.
How does the local school district ensure the safety of students in this situation?
The Huntsville City Schools have committed to conducting a thorough review of the situation and have communicated their dedication to ensuring student safety.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Huntsville City Schools Implements New Cell Phone Policy
Federal Judge Blocks Cuts to Teacher Training Funds
Additional Resources
- WAFF: Huntsville Special Education Teacher Under Review
- AL.com: Dismantling Department of Education and its Impact on Huntsville Schools
- WHNT: HCMS Statement on Teacher’s Prior Arrest
- Laughlin Service: Obituary for Jean White Lake
- AL.com: Madison County Teacher Arrested for Assaulting Student
- Wikipedia: Huntsville, Alabama
- Google Search: Huntsville City Schools
- Google Scholar: Brandy Taylor Huntsville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Huntsville
- Google News: Huntsville School Teacher Arrest
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
