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Director files dismissal charges in 2020 classroom case; board votes to notify teacher of hearing rights
Summary
Blount County Schools director Justin Ridge formally presented charges of dismissal against tenured teacher Catherine Goins related to conduct in a 2020 special-education classroom; the board voted to notify Goins that, if the charges are true, dismissal is warranted and to inform her of her right to a hearing before an independent officer.
Blount County Schools Director of Schools Justin Ridge told the board he had filed formal charges of dismissal against tenured teacher Catherine Goins related to conduct in a 2020 case that arose inside a classroom serving students with significant disabilities and medical needs.
Ridge said the matter came to light during a recent human-resources audit and that the documentation includes multiple notarized statements from staff who worked with Goins in 2020. Ridge described the behavior as "disturbing and unacceptable" and said district leadership will not tolerate behavior that endangers the safety, dignity or well-being of students.
"What happened in that classroom was wrong," Ridge told the board. Ridge said he was acting in his role as director and that the district will pursue a formal, fair process under Tennessee state law, which provides tenure protections paired with a dismissal process that allows a hearing.
After board discussion, members voted on a motion to notify Ms. Goins that the board has determined that, if the charges are true, dismissal is warranted, and to inform her of her right to request a hearing before an independent hearing officer. The motion passed; one board member abstained from an earlier related statement because that member had been involved in the prior HR audit and said they would abstain from any official vote on the matter. The board did not resolve final disposition; the vote authorized notification and preserved Goins's right to a hearing.
Ridge said the district will release a statement and supporting documents following the meeting and that materials would be made available consistent with open-record laws. He said the action was part of a broader effort to rebuild trust after the audit and to ensure accountability.
The board asked that Ridge notify Ms. Goins of the finding and inform her of appeal and hearing rights under state statute. No hearing date was set at the meeting.
