Bowman: Audit of Metro Nashville Public Schools Likely as Teachers Come Forward

Kaitlin Housler
JC Bowman

JC Bowman, founder and president of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said an audit of Metro Nashville Public Schools is likely forthcoming as more allegations of grade manipulation and retaliation from former district educators come forward.

Bowman made the remarks during Tuesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show as calls grow for lawmakers to conduct a forensic audit of the district.

Last week, WKRN reported that the Tennessee Department of Education is investigating MNPS over allegations of academic dishonesty stemming from a complaint filed against Stratford STEM Magnet High School and the district.

“My understanding is, and I can’t attribute it because the state is investigating it, the Civil Rights Division, my understanding is that about 20 teachers have come forward now,” Bowman said.

Bowman encouraged teachers with information about alleged misconduct to report it.

“And listen, if you’re a teacher and you’re contemplating whether to come forward or not, the answer is yes, come forward,” he said.

The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is responsible for investigating civil rights complaints involving Tennessee public school districts and other entities under its jurisdiction. The department has said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.

FOX 17 reported Monday that Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s (R-Crossville) office said lawmakers are considering a forensic audit of MNPS but have not established a timeline.

“I think you’re gonna see an audit,” Bowman said.

The calls for an audit follow allegations from former JFK Middle School teacher and former MNPS Teacher of the Year Samira Hardcastle, who said district administrators pressured her to change a student’s failing grade. MNPS disputed the broader allegation, saying the student was permitted to complete previously unsubmitted work and that the principal independently reviewed and scored it.

Hardcastle also told the MNPS Board of Education in August that district leaders had asked her to “fabricate grades for a parent.”

Bowman also criticized the district’s school board and its oversight of Superintendent Adrienne Battle.

“We need to do a better job with selecting superintendents and honestly, we ought to train them on the front end,” he said.

“And here’s the real problem with it. The school board has one employee, the superintendent, one employee. And the school board rubber stamps everything that she does rather than ask questions and hold her accountable,” Bowman added.

Bowman said the allegations should prompt broader scrutiny of how the district is managed and how public funds are used.

“But they need to really step back and take a look,” Bowman said.

Watch:

– – –

Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.

Related posts

Comments