“I was thinking about stabbing myself in the face—not actually considering stabbing myself in the face, but thinking that it would be a physical expression of how I felt.”
― Catherine Lacey, Nobody Is Ever Missing

Just like that, it was done.

With nary a sound, and certainly no fury, Metro Nashville Public Schools found themselves $6.5 million poorer Tuesday night.

No big announcement. No special press conference. Just a quiet line item buried at the bottom of the consent agenda—approved with a simple vote and little to no public discussion. That line item? A massive legal settlement to five veteran MNPS employees who had sued the district for discrimination and retaliation.

This wasn’t a case of he-said-she-said. A summary judgment had already been issued 18 months ago, one that laid out a damning case against Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle. The court found credible evidence that supported the employees’ claims, including one alleging that their First Amendment rights had been violated.

Remember when we used to care about First Amendment rights?
I think we still do—but only when it’s politically beneficial.

The case was scheduled to go to trial this week. As recently as two weeks ago, the district was still preparing witnesses and gearing up for battle (pun fully intended). And then—just like that—it was over.

Why? Because someone, somewhere, finally realized MNPS might actually lose. And even if they won on a technicality, they’d still lose in the court of public opinion.

🎭 PR First, Kids Second

Instead of addressing the underlying culture, MNPS leaned on its communications team to manage the message. They fed the media a story, and the media, as usual, ran with it.

Executive Chief of Communications Sean Braisted was the front man, carefully ensuring no uncomfortable questions gained traction.

“It is my pleasure to be the spokesperson for the district and inform people of what is going on. Right now, this is still an ongoing legal process, so we’re going to let that process play out.”

When asked about consequences for Dr. Battle?

“I am not aware of any discussions of that nature.”

There won’t be any, either.

Braisted even trotted out the standard defense:

“Employment decisions were made in good faith and with the best interest of students and staff in mind.”

You can slap that on a T-shirt and sell it alongside “Every Student Known.”

🛡️ The Power Behind the Curtain

Need proof of how politically protected the superintendent is? Look no further than former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, who, reportedly serving as Battle’s personal lawyer, convinced board members to let the settlement slide quietly through the consent agenda.

Also appearing on cue at the board meeting: former board chairs Dr. Sharon Gentry and Christanne Buggs, both there to defend Battle.

Dr. Gentry quoted Roosevelt and Cicero in her classic performative style, effectively arguing that sometimes leadership requires you to trample rights. Just business.

Buggs talked about her journey from poverty while on the board to her new role as CEO of the Pencil Foundation—a nonprofit funded by MNPS. Her salary isn’t public yet, but past records suggest it’s in the $200K+ range.

Current board leadership? Following the same playbook. Word is the current chair is eyeing a run for County Clerk.

💰 $6.5 Million from Where, Exactly?

The district says the $6.5 million payout will come from its legal budget.

That raises some questions:

• How big is that budget?
• Where is it in the official 2025–26 budget? I can’t find it.
• Why is there enough money in it to cover the largest settlement in MNPS history?
• If that money existed, why wasn’t it allocated to support students and teachers instead?

And there’s another big case looming—the lawsuit brought by the family of a student killed by a classmate at Antioch High School. That one’s capped at $700K for now, but don’t expect it to stay there.

📢 Accountability Theater

Credit to Metro Council Member Erin Evans, who urged the board to examine the root causes of this lawsuit. She noted that similar issues are playing out in other city departments.

Her point: this isn’t about five plaintiffs. It’s about how power is wielded—and how dissent is punished.

Because Dr. Battle got what she wanted: none of the five plaintiffs still work for MNPS. Together, they represented over 100 years of experience.

This wasn’t a settlement—it was a buyout. Of silence. Of opposition.

And irony of ironies: the same folks who will defend a comedian fired for criticizing Trump are silent when a local leader silences critics for real.

Don’t believe me? Just wait until the new principals are announced. You’ll see how bold this leadership really is.

I give the same advice to my kids that I’d give to them:
Don’t judge by how you’re treated. Judge by how others are treated—because eventually, they’ll get around to you.

📊 A Pretty Picture

Before approving the consent agenda, the board heard a glossy presentation on TCAP results:
➡️ up arrows
🟩 green boxes
📈 data that says “we’re winning.”

All spun by the district PR machine—aka “The Dynasty.”

Here’s what I can say unequivocally: Success in MNPS lies with classroom teachers—not central office.

Drive past a school this week and you’ll see teachers, unpaid and off-contract, already prepping classrooms. MNPS hasn’t even started, and they’re there—voluntarily.

Meanwhile, the district keeps peddling the idea that anyone can teach, as long as they follow the script. False. Dangerous.

It takes a special person to be a teacher.
Creative. Kind. Tough. Talented.

It’s like music. I can learn every note, practice endlessly, and still never sound like Coldplay. Chris Martin and crew are a unique collection. So are MNPS teachers.

🎓 And Elsewhere in Education…

Sometimes you don’t have to fight the battle—just let your opponent make your argument for you.

Take Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarships (ESA) program.

Designed to give 20,000 students $7,300 for private school tuition, it’s already running into problems. This week, 166 parents were mistakenly told their kids had been awarded scholarships—only to be told it was an error.

The company hired by TNDOE—what I like to call “Two Men and a Database”—has no experience administering ESA programs.

Also weird: The Governor’s office claimed 33,000 people applied in the first few hours. That number hasn’t changed in months.

Am I really supposed to believe every parent in Tennessee applied on day one? In the Weber household, nothing gets turned in on time without three reminders.

Mark my words—this won’t be the last misstep. Especially as Lee’s final term winds down.

Sometimes, the universe and your opponent make the best argument for you.

👀 Something to Watch: New Committee, Old Debates

A new legislative committee is forming to explore reducing testing and teacher evaluation requirements.

The Advisory Committee on Innovations in K–12 Education includes eight lawmakers, including Senators Adam Lowe, Dawn White, Raumesh Akbari, and Bo Watson, and Representatives William Slater, Kirk Haston, Scott Cepicky, and Mark Cochran.

Noticeably absent: long-time House Education Chair Mark White, R-Memphis—a reliable mouthpiece for the nonprofit SCORE.

That could signal trouble for SCORE’s longtime dominance over education policy. This committee may be a sign the tide is turning.

🕊️ In Memoriam: Erin Clinton Walsh Daunic

Finally, sad news: Erin Clinton Walsh Daunic passed away July 22 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 54.

She spent over two decades supporting Nashville youth through STARS Nashville, helping students dealing with trauma, violence, and depression.

“Her love for people was one of a kind — big, warm and FIERCE.”
— Willy Daunic

A memorial service will be held Aug. 23 at OZ Arts Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STARS Nashville.

Her loss will be deeply felt.

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Till next time, friends.
Buckle up. The ride continues.

Categories: Education