Attorneys have apparently settled a long-running and bitterly controversial case involving five former administrators from Metro Nashville Public Schools. This settlement is one of the largest in MNPS history, with taxpayers footing the bill.
Plaintiffs sued the school district and Director of Schools, Adrienne Battle and negotiations reportedly began almost immediately. Last year, attempts to reach a settlement failed.
The plaintiffs say they were pushed out of their jobs because Battle targeted retaliated against them after taking over as head of MNPS. One plaintiff was upset about a Black History Month lesson her child had in elementary school that received local media coverage. Others claimed they had suggested firing Battle’s brother, a basketball coach, after he had a physical confrontation,with a parent. One administrator felt targeted because her cousin was suing the school. Another said his job was at risk because raised questions about grade tampering. They all asserted that they lost their positions out of retaliatory spite, not because of budget cuts as the district had claimed.
The original lawsuit was filed in 2020. As the years passed, more complaints were added. The MNPS board planned to discuss the settlement at the next board meeting, right as a trial was set to begin. Reports suggest the settlement will be about $6.5 million, covering lost wages and future damages that exceed the usual $300,000 cap.
In another upcoming case, the family of a victim from the Antioch High shooting has sued MNPS. It is unclear if any offer was made to settle that case as well. These are breaking stories and will be updated as more information becomes available.
