Athens school board tables telehealth MOU after pediatricians oppose hospital agreement

The Athens City Board of Education on June 9, 2025, voted to table a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Athens City Schools and East Tennessee Children's Hospital after several local pediatricians raised objections during public comment. The board removed the MOU (Consent Agenda item G) from the consent package by motion and then approved the amended consent agenda.

The change occurred during the public-comments portion of the June 9 meeting at the Administration Building. Mr. Adams, the board chair, opened public comment; several Athens-area pediatricians attended and "spoke in opposition of a telehealth contract with ACS and ETCH," according to the meeting minutes. The minutes identify Ryne Meredith of Kidzcare Peds and Dr. Kim Breeden of Covenant Pediatrics as among those who spoke.

Following the public comments, Board member Johnny Coffman moved to amend the consent agenda to table item G, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital MOU. Board member Stan Harrison seconded the motion; the minutes state the motion carried. After tabling the MOU, Board member Abby Carroll moved to approve the consent agenda as amended; Coffman seconded, and the motion carried.

Discussion vs. decision: the pediatricians' remarks at public comment were recorded as opposition (discussion). The formal board action was to table the MOU (direction/temporary halt) and to approve the remainder of the consent agenda (formal approval). The minutes do not record specific details of the pediatricians' concerns, any staff responses, or a recorded roll-call vote tally for the tabling motion.

The board took no additional public action on the telehealth MOU at that meeting; the MOU remains tabled per the minutes. Future consideration or next steps for the agreement were not specified in the minutes.

The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. and was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.