Hamilton County Schools officials have begun the process of firing a cheerleading coach from East Hamilton School, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Stephanie Knox was suspended without pay on Feb. 1 after being accused of not keeping track of how, where or how much school money was being spent.
Officials have not disclosed how much money is involved.
Because Ms. Knox is a tenured teacher, official charges now must be drafted and sent to members of the Hamilton County Board of Education, school system spokeswoman Danielle Clark said.
Likely at the next board meeting, members will decide if the charges against Ms. Knox are true and whether they warrant her termination, Ms. Clark said.
Board member Linda Mosley, who represents East Hamilton’s district, said she expected to receive notification of the charges in the next week or so.
Ms. Knox could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
East Hamilton principal Pam Dantzler said she has not spoken much to Ms. Knox since the coach was suspended. A certified substitute has been filling in for Ms. Knox in her absence, Ms. Dantzler said.
The principal said she was disappointed by the whole situation.
“I think the world of (Ms. Knox) as a teacher, so you never want to see anybody have something negative happen to them in their career,” she said.
Hamilton County Education Association President Sharon Vandagriff, who often is involved with employee termination cases, did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.
School board attorney Scott Bennett also did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Now that Ms. Knox has been notified, she can seek a termination hearing.
Follow Kelli Gauthier on Twitter at twitter.com/gauthierkelli.