UPDATE: Grundy County school board members elected Phyllis Lusk as chairwoman during their meeting tonight.
Vice Chairman Paul Gallagher had been serving as the school board chairman.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Grundy County school board members are expected to elect a new school board chairman during their board meeting tonight.
Former chairman Robert Foster resigned on Nov. 21 after 12 years on the board amid growing animosity among fellow board members and the director of schools.
His resignation came during an investigation of an attempted aggravated rape at Grundy County High School and the vandalism of a school board member's vehicle.
Also to be discussed and voted on is a proposed update to the elementary and high school's handbooks.
Director of Schools Jessie Kinsey made the recommendation to add some wording under the schools' zero tolerance policy during last month's board meeting. She said the modification was necessary for the handbook to be in line with state laws.
The district's zero tolerance policy applies to students who have committed certain offenses, which include possession of a weapon or illegal substances, battery and/or sexual battery, including rape or attempted rape. Punishment listed for those offenses is suspension of up to one year but may also include expulsion.
Kinsey said a statement needs to be included that says the director of schools has the authority to modify the consequences on a case-by-case basis.
As it's worded now, the handbook simply says the schools have a zero tolerance policy and makes mention that the director may evaluate expulsions on a case-by-case basis, but those statements are not on the correct page, Kinsey said.
The five students who are accused of attempting to rape their freshman teammate with the metal handle of a dust mop have not been expelled. They were placed on house arrest and assigned "homebound education," as of latest reports before a judge placed a non-disclosure order on the case, preventing anyone from discussing any details.
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.
Grundy County school district stories
- Grundy County, Tenn., bus driver has still not received bonus pay
- Grundy County School board buys out director's contract
- Grundy County High School student arrested over valedictorian flap
- Grundy County school board denies tenure to former head football coach
- Grundy County school board denies tenure to former head football coach
- Grundy County school board discusses former head coach tenure recommendation
- Grundy County school board member arrested for fourth time since she was elected
- Policy updates up for vote at next Grundy County school board meeting
- Grundy County school board member arrested for third time in 10 months
- Scott Smith named as head football coach for Grundy County High School
- Grundy County again postpones talks about new coach
- Grundy County director of schools hasn't been evaluated
- Grundy County Schools hasn't launched Title IX investigation in attempted rape case
- Grundy County school board postpones coach decision, welcomes new member
- Grundy County, Tenn., school board meets after cold weather canceled first meeting of 2018 [document]
- Grundy County, Tenn., school records sought in subpoena still not turned over
- Grundy County, Tenn., commission to vote on new school board member
- Grundy County school board appoints new chairwoman; director to begin coach interviews
- Grundy County school board elects Phyllis Lusk as chairwoman
- Grundy school board member to resign after arrest in text message lockdown
- Grundy County school board member arrested after false reports lead to lockdown
- Records show history of hazing and sexual abuse at Grundy County High School
- Grundy County High School resource officer now must get permission to retrieve security camera footage
- Grundy County school board chairman resigns
- Grundy County school board member's vehicle vandalized
- Grundy County juveniles appear in court for attempted rape case
- Oversight committee finds possible money mishandling by Grundy County Schools
- Grundy County school board oversight committee expected to present findings
- Official prohibits contact between Grundy County ex-coach and football team
- Meeks named head coach of Grundy County High School's football team
- Wiedmer: Whether in Grundy County or elsewhere, bullying must stop
- Greeson: Time to stop turning a blind eye to hazing
- Grundy County school board votes to let high school football season continue
- Cooper: Grundy incident all too familiar
- Grundy County football players could be charged as adults in attempted rape case
- Five Grundy County High School football players charged with attempted rape
- Football hazing at Grundy County High School under investigation, head coach suspended
- Grundy County Sheriff's Office investigating alleged hazing incident at high school
This story was updated Dec. 4 at 7:35 p.m. with more information.