Хамилтонская христианская академия приступает к перестройке кампуса и смене руководства после скандала

Hamilton Christian Academy moving forward with rebuild, new leadership after difficult year LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Hamilton Christian Academy is preparing to tear down and rebuild its main campus building — one of several changes underway at the private school following a difficult year. The Lake Charles City Council approved demolition of the U-shaped building at the front of the school’s campus earlier this month. The building has sat damaged since Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. “We’ll be tearing down with the full intended purposes of rebuilding better and stronger than what we were before,” said Dr. Mark Steward, Hamilton Christian’s Head of School. Once rebuilt, the building will house elementary students, along with some middle school classrooms. Demolition is expected to begin as early as November. The project comes roughly a year after Hamilton Christian faced scrutiny over allegations of student misconduct and accusations that school officials tried to cover it up. In November 2025, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested then-Principal Morgan Daugherty and then-coach Dominique Washington on charges of failing to report certain felonies and obstruction, following an investigation into alleged sexual assaults between students. A third employee was arrested on a cyberstalking charge. Daugherty was terminated and Washington resigned. Athletic Director Dexter Washington also resigned amid the fallout. Steward took over as Head of School in January. “I wasn’t here when that situation happened, and we look to move forward,” Steward said. “That’s why we’re making a valiant effort to engage our parents, to make sure that we’re actively supervising our kids.” Steward says safety has been a top priority heading into this school year. “We brought our teachers in 10 days before the school year started and went through several different trainings with them — putting more tools in their tool belt to make sure that we have a safe, nurturing environment here at Hamilton Christian Academy,” he said. The school currently has no students enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Steward says a grade level will reopen once seven students in that grade show interest. Hamilton Christian will not field a football team this year. “I’m not going to say we’re not having them, because we’re going to attempt to fill sports. It’s just a matter of making sure we have the resources available,” Steward said. He added that athletics remain a priority for the school moving forward. “It’s always great to have athletics on your campus, but athletics is a tool, and so we look to bring back the football team, we look to bring back the basketball team, and all those sports that make a school great,” Steward said. The school has also raised academic expectations this year, now requiring students to maintain a 2.5 GPA to participate in clubs and extracurricular activities. “The ultimate goal is for our students, by the time they graduate from Hamilton Christian Academy, to have at least a 25 on the ACT,” Steward said. The rebuild is also getting a boost from the community. Bill and Kay Doré, their family, and Doré Energy recently made what the school calls a “transformational” donation to support the reconstruction effort. “We’re just grateful for the donation from the Doré family,” Steward said. “It’s going to play a vital part in continuing our Christian education purpose here in the Lake Charles area.” Steward says he hopes the rebuild represents more than new construction. “Every Hamilton parent has my cell phone number so they can reach me directly if they have any issues, comments, or concerns,” he said. Founded in 1990, Hamilton Christian Academy is a private, nondenominational Christian school serving students from PreK3 through 12th grade in Lake Charles. Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.