Teachers’ past misdeeds often slip past Tennessee screening system

Jason Hamrick

Ooltewah High School educator Jason Hamrick resigned from his teaching position, according to a State Department of Education document, following allegations regarding disciplinary issues.

But when Hamrick was hired by Metro Nashville Public Schools at Johnson Alternative Learning Center at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, Nashville school officials never checked those public records. In fact they rarely check those files when hiring any employees.

“He cleared the criminal background check, provided letters of recommendation from previous employers, and the hiring principal contacted the references on his application,” said Metro spokeswoman Janel Lacy in an email.

Read more at our news partner’s website, tennessean.com.