The Credential Gap — MacDowell Staff Qualification Audit
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The Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) is the public database where anyone can verify whether a Michigan educator holds a valid teaching certificate, administrator certification, or permit — and which grade levels and subjects each endorsement covers. Documented
On September 26, 2026, every name listed on MacDowell Preparatory Academy’s public staff roster (macdowellprep.com/about/) was searched in MOECS. The audit found that only 2 of 14 instructional staff members are properly credentialed and correctly placed for their teaching assignment. Documented
Staff Roster Results Documented
Administration — 4 positions ($603,000/year combined)
| Role | MOECS Status | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Superintendent/CAO (Brian Banks) | Convicted felon (ICHAT SID 2029469K). School Administrator certificate only — no teaching credential. | ❌ |
| Dean of Scholars + Culture (Cameron Coleman) | Standard teaching certificate expired 6/30/2026. No administrator certification for Dean role. | ⏳ |
| Dean of Academics (Kellie M Stevens) | Standard teaching certificate (K-5/K-8 elementary). No administrator certification for Dean role. | ⚠️ |
| Dean of Operations + 8th Grade Teacher (Chalcee Norwood) | Not found in MOECS public search — 91 “Norwood” results searched, no match for “Chalcee”. Zero credentials discoverable. | ❌ |
Instructional Staff
| Role | MOECS Status | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten (Rachel Webb) | Holds Secondary English/Journalism 6-12 certification. Zero elementary endorsement. Teaching kindergarten with a high school certificate. | ⚠️ |
| Kindergarten (Lakeisha Bates) | “No matches found” in MOECS. Zero credentials. | ❌ |
| 3rd Grade (Alana Hubbell) | Daily Substitute Permit issued through Escuela Avancemos — a different school. | 🔶 |
| 5th Grade (Ashlie Spencer) | Daily Substitute Permit issued through Chandler Park Academy — a different school. | 🔶 |
| 8th Grade Teacher (Volanda Frazier) | Full-Year Basic Substitute permit only — no standard teaching certificate. Assigned as full-time Teacher of Record. | ⚠️ |
| 2 instructional staff | Properly credentialed and correctly placed for their assignment. | ✅ |
| 2 staff | Expired or pending credentials. | ⏳ |
Legend: ✅ Valid · ⚠️ Wrong endorsement/placement · ❌ No credentials · 🔶 Substitute permit from other school · ⏳ Expired
Source: MOECS public credential search, September 26, 2026. Staff titles from macdowellprep.com/about/.
The Rachel Webb Finding Documented
A kindergarten teacher holds a Secondary English/Journalism certification endorsed for grades 6–12.
Elementary education in Michigan requires a specific endorsement in early childhood or elementary education. A 6–12 secondary certification does not qualify an educator for K–5 instruction under Michigan law. MOECS shows Rachel Webb’s only endorsements are English 6–12 and Journalism 6–12 — neither covers kindergarten.
The Substitute Permit Problem Documented
Two MacDowell instructional staff hold Daily Substitute Permits issued through different schools:
| Staff | Assignment | Permit Issued Through |
|---|---|---|
| Alana Hubbell | 3rd Grade | Escuela Avancemos — Detroit |
| Ashlie Spencer | 5th Grade | Chandler Park Academy — Harper Woods |
Daily Substitute Permits are tied to the issuing school and are intended for temporary fill-in duty, not permanent full-time instructional positions. Using substitute permits from other schools to staff ongoing teaching roles is a credential compliance issue under Michigan law.
Volanda Frazier holds a Full-Year Basic Substitute permit as the full-time 8th grade Teacher of Record — a separate but related compliance problem.
The Law — MCL 388.1763 Documented
Michigan Compiled Laws require charter school teachers to hold valid credentials:
“A teacher employed by or assigned to a public school academy shall hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate or a permit issued by the superintendent of public instruction.”
Penalty provisions when violations are found:
| Statute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| MCL 388.1763(1) | A district shall not employ an individual who is not appropriately placed under a valid certificate. |
| MCL 388.1763(2) | 50% state aid deduction for salary paid during the violation period. |
| MCL 388.1763(6) | If a school official is notified by MDE and knowingly continues to employ an uncredentialed individual → misdemeanor, $1,500 fine per incident. |
When MDE identifies credential violations, the statute requires enforcement — state aid deductions for uncredentialed employment and, where officials continue employment after notification, referral for criminal prosecution.
What MDE Did Documented
MDE was notified of credential problems at MacDowell. Over a four-year period, the Office of Educator Excellence investigated only one name — Brian Banks — in February 2022. The investigation was closed within approximately two hours after OEE Analyst Katie Schmiedeknecht communicated that “there will be no need for an investigation.”
MDE never checked the rest of the staff roster — despite MOECS and the Educator Registry (REP) being MDE’s own systems, searchable by any analyst in minutes.
Schmiedeknecht presents at state conferences on the same credential compliance rules she is charged with enforcing — including slides stating that “Any teacher who is not appropriately placed may be subject to a salary deduction based on MCL 388.1763.” Her office failed to enforce those rules at MacDowell while advising the school through the compliance loophole that avoided penalties for Banks.
Source: MDE FOIA response (September 25, 2026); MOECS public search (September 26, 2026).
Verify It Yourself
Anyone can reproduce this audit in minutes:
- Go to MOECS public search: https://mdoe.state.mi.us/MOECS/PublicCredentialSearch.aspx
- Enter the teacher’s last name
- Check: Is the certificate valid? Is it endorsed for the grades and subjects being taught?
- Compare results to the school’s actual staff roster at macdowellprep.com/about/
Discrepancies between MOECS endorsements and classroom assignments are visible immediately in the public record.
The Cost Documented
MacDowell Preparatory Academy serves 362 students. Four administrators draw $603,000/year in combined compensation:
| Metric | MacDowell | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Admin cost per student | $1,665/student | Michigan state average: approximately $850/student |
| Instructional spending | 32% of budget | Michigan target: 55–65% |
Administration at nearly twice the state average per student diverts public funding away from instruction — in a school where MOECS already shows that most instructional staff lack proper credentials for their assignments.
This analysis is based entirely on MOECS public search results and Michigan Department of Education records. Every credential status can be independently verified using the steps above.