“Life…is not a simple thread which is only extended in length, it is a large web or rather a network, from interval to interval, casts branches to the side in order to unite with networks of other order.”
― Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life
Summer’s Final Bell
Summer is in its final throes here in Tennessee. Next Monday, Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) teachers report back for duty. A week later, students follow.
It’s always struck me as odd how early Tennessee starts school, especially while the weather still simmers in the mid-90s. But, like so many things around here, it’s the way we’ve always done it—so I suppose it’ll continue to be that way.
I hope summer brought rest and restoration to each of you. Because from the looks of it, the new school year is kicking off with more than its fair share of unfinished business, unanswered questions, and unsettling news.
Let’s take a look.
The Settlement Nobody Wants to Talk About
It seems Nashville parents and community members are far from ready to move on from MNPS’s recent $6.5 million legal settlement involving five former administrators. That’s in sharp contrast to the school board and Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle, who appear all too eager to move forward without much explanation.
But the silence isn’t sitting well with everyone—and now, more voices are stepping up to demand answers.
Chief among them is education advocate Sonya Thomas, Executive Director of the family advocacy group Nashville PROPEL. Never one to hold back, Thomas has been consistently critical of Dr. Battle’s leadership, especially around transparency and student outcomes.
“I think a lot of people around the city are very angry about this. Very disappointed,” Thomas told WSMV. “You never want to see a leader fall to this degree.”
Thomas is absolutely right to highlight the egregious nature of shelling out millions in taxpayer money without so much as a public statement justifying the payout. Transparency isn’t optional when it comes to public funds—especially in a district that constantly cites budget concerns as a reason for unmet needs.
Ironically, the $6.5 million payout achieved exactly what Dr. Battle set out to do five years ago: the removal of five veteran administrators who challenged her authority. It’s not just a payout—it’s a purge.
A Pattern of Silence
What’s been brewing for a while is now starting to boil: a growing chorus of Nashvillians wondering why no one holds Dr. Battle accountable.
The school board has effectively abdicated its oversight role, choosing instead to heap praise regardless of outcomes. Last year, following a devastating school cafeteria shooting at Antioch High School that left two students dead, the board’s response was to celebrate Battle’s leadership.
Let me be clear: if students died on your watch, something went wrong. Celebrating anything in the wake of such a tragedy is beyond tone-deaf—it’s irresponsible.
Now, the family of one of the slain students is suing MNPS for $700,000, the maximum allowable under Tennessee’s Governmental Tort Liability Act. The suit argues the district failed to act on red flags surrounding the shooter, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, who had previously threatened another student and was charged with carrying a weapon on school property.
His mother claimed he would be homeschooled. So how did he end up back on campus with a gun?
That’s a question MNPS has yet to answer.
If the district had any integrity, they’d settle this suit for more than the legal maximum, not hide behind a technicality. Fighting this family in court is not just a bad look—it’s morally bankrupt.
Money for What Matters?
Following the shooting, MNPS proudly announced that new weapons detection systems were installed in all high schools.
But what about middle schools? They’re still waiting.
The district cited “financial concerns” for the delay. Funny—that $6.5 million settlement sure could’ve covered a lot of scanners.
Another Lawsuit on the Docket
Meanwhile, another legal headache looms. Howard Jones, a former assistant principal, is suing MNPS for alleged discrimination and retaliation.
Jones claims his demotion was retribution for supporting three employees who accused Sam Braden, Executive Principal at JFK Middle, of sexual harassment back in 2018.
Braden was Dr. Battle’s former mentor, principal, and close friend. After a NewsChannel 5 investigation, Braden retired. The three victims sued and received a $350,000 settlement.
Jones alleges that after backing the victims, he was pushed out. Though he won reinstatement at Stratford High, he was demoted again—this time without explanation.
“I’ve not been able to find any rhyme or reason… other than understanding that Dr. Battle wanted me terminated,” Jones told The Nashville Banner.
It’s hard not to see a pattern.
A Contract Extension, Right on Time
Let’s not forget: just six months ago, the school board extended Dr. Battle’s contract and gave her a substantial raise—while this lawsuit was pending.
It’s as if they knew the fallout was coming and wanted to secure her leadership (and salary bump) before public scrutiny could catch up.
What exactly are we paying for?
Meanwhile, in the State Legislature…
Yesterday, Tennessee’s Education Innovation Advisory Committee met for the first time to discuss possible changes to assessment, accountability, and licensure.
The potential for reducing standardized testing and teacher evaluations has made certain groups very nervous.
Cue the lobbying.
The Tennessee Firefly, a newsletter run by the pro-testing group Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS), released results from a recent poll, conveniently showing strong Republican support for testing and accountability.
According to their data:
- 86% support annual state testing
- 91% favor teacher evaluations
- 71% oppose test reduction
- 77% support school letter grades
Of course, their cited study was produced by SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), which receives millions from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote test-based accountability.
When your funding depends on test scores, it’s hard to believe you’re advocating with kids’ best interests in mind.
Testing Lobby v. Common Sense
The committee is packed with Republican lawmakers and Lee appointees:
- Senators: Adam Lowe, Dawn White, Raumesh Akbari, Bo Watson
- Reps: William Slater, Kirk Haston, Scott Cepicky, Mark Cochran
- Appointees: Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds, State Board’s Krissi McInturff
Notably absent at the first meeting? Reynolds, Akbari, and Slater—meaning 3 out of 10 missed the opening session.
Early discussion focused not on testing, but on whether to move from a 180-day school year to one measured in hours and minutes. This would allow scheduling flexibility, even opening the door for a four-day school week.
There are upsides:
✅ Professional development days without hiring subs
✅ Custom-length school days
✅ Better balance for working educators
And, of course, downsides:
❌ Increased childcare demands
❌ Scheduling complexity
❌ Transportation costs
Rep. Scott Cepicky summed it up best:
“I haven’t heard anybody say, ‘This is the worst idea ever.’”
A Smarter Approach to TCAP?
Amid all the noise, a calm, thoughtful voice emerged: Kevin Schaaf, PhD, a Metro reading teacher and former TDOE research director, penned a must-read op-ed in The Tennessean with proposals to fix TCAP:
- Only test kids who can read. Require students to meet reading benchmarks before taking TCAP.
- Break testing into short, focused chunks. One-hour reading, math, and science tests across the year—not two straight weeks in the spring.
- Move to computer-based adaptive testing. This gives students appropriately challenging questions and gets results back faster.
It’s rational. It’s grounded. And most importantly—it respects teachers and students.
Maybe someone should slide his op-ed across the table at the next advisory meeting.
Wrapping Up
As teachers return and students prepare to follow, one thing is clear: our leaders are not ready.
We’re not ready to talk about that $6.5 million.
We’re not ready to address student safety.
We’re not ready to question a board that rubber-stamps raises and contracts while families grieve.
We’re certainly not ready to let the testing lobby dictate classroom policy.
If you’ve made it this far—thank you. If this work matters to you, here’s how you can help:
💵 Venmo: @Thomas-Weber-10
💵 Cash App: $PeterAveryWeber
📬 Tips, comments, or story ideas: Norinrad10@yahoo.com
Till next time, friends.
Buckle up. The ride continues.
Categories: Education
Dad Gone Wild 
I will *never* forget Dr. Battle’s statement a day or two after the shooting at Antioch HS (which I think you mislabeled in this article as Covenant, btw). It said something to the effect of school is a positive experience for most of our 80k students. I remember thinking how tone-deaf it was after two students died (one of those at the hands of the other) inside one of said schools – in a very visible spot. And as someone else said regarding this lawsuit where they “deny any wrongdoing” – you don’t pay out 6 million dollars if you didn’t do anything wrong. I love the school I work at, but I am over the nonsense in the district.