Parent urges board to grant administrative placement for student denied advanced courses

A Smyrna parent urged the Rutherford County Schools board during public comment to grant an administrative placement for his son, who he said has exhausted advanced course options at his current high school and needs a senior math course required for graduation.

"My son took the initiative to take the ACT early and scored above district, state, and national averages," said Terry Letterman during the public comment period. Letterman asked the board to use board policy 1.703, which allows administrative placements on a case-by-case basis, to move his son to a school that offers the courses he needs. He said he would provide his own transportation.

Administrators said the district follows the lottery and choice-seat timelines before administrative placements are considered, and that administrative placements are rare but evaluated case by case. Dr. Jimmy Sullivan and other administrators said they will review the student's transcript, course availability and options such as off-campus or dual-enrollment paths and report back to the board.

Board members asked administrators to review the specific request and report at the next meeting so the board can determine whether an administrative placement is appropriate without disrupting the established lottery process.

The board did not vote on the request at the meeting; staff were asked to follow up with the family and bring options to the board.