Parent asks board to end student's New Directions placement; counsel says state law limits board authority

During the public-comment portion of the May 28 meeting, Michael Parish asked the board to end his son Levi's placement at New Directions Academy (NDA) at the end of the academic year rather than having it carry into ninth grade. Parish said his son had complied with interventions, earned nearly 200 positive behavioral points in 37 days at NDA and maintained strong academic performance.

Levi Parish addressed the board directly, accepted responsibility for the earlier incident and requested the discipline not extend into high school so he could begin ninth grade with his peers. "If I am allowed to return, I will continue to follow the rules, stay focused in class, respect my teachers and classmates, and make positive choices every day," Levi said.

Board counsel Mr. Hall responded in public comment that the incident at issue is a zero-tolerance offense and that under the applicable Tennessee statute the district's options include placements up to 180 days; he said the board does not have jurisdiction to overturn that statutory process. Counsel cited the relevant state code section during his remarks.

The board did not take further action during the meeting; administration and counsel framed the matter as governed by state discipline statutes rather than a discretionary board-level reversal.