Director brings dismissal charges against tenured Blount County teacher; board votes to notify for hearing

Director Justin Ridge told the board he was bringing formal charges of dismissal against Catherine Goins, a tenured teacher, after review of documents uncovered during a recent human-resources audit. Ridge said the events at issue occurred in 2020 in a CDC classroom serving students with significant disabilities and medical needs and described the conduct in the materials as "disturbing and unacceptable." He said notarized statements from staff who worked with Ms. Goins are included in the written materials provided to the board and that the district is committed to transparency.

Ridge said the charges and supporting documents were presented to the board in writing and that the board's role at this stage is to decide whether, "if any of these charges are true, dismissal as a tenured employee is warranted," consistent with Tennessee state law. The chair noted one board member would abstain from the vote because of prior audit involvement.

A motion was made and seconded asking the board to find that if the charges are true dismissal is warranted and to notify Ms. Goins of the charges and her right to a hearing before an independent officer. The board conducted a roll-call vote; recorded "Yes" votes included Randy Early Howard, Bridal King, Joe Lindsey, John Lowe, Erica Moore and Phil Porter. The chair instructed Director Ridge to notify Ms. Goins of the vote and to include information about her right to request an independent hearing.

The board did not hold a disciplinary hearing at the meeting; the vote authorized notification and outlined procedural rights. Ridge said the district would release a public statement and supporting documents in accordance with open records laws following the meeting.

This reporting is limited to statements and motions entered into the public record at the meeting; no hearing record or final adjudication occurred at this meeting.