A Cumberland County High School teacher is under investigation for violating students’ rights in the classroom.
The teacher allegedly questioned students about personal topics, parents told the Chronicle.
According to CCHS parent Brittany Barrett Seymour, the teacher allegedly asked the students to complete a questionnaire assignment called “Two Worlds” that had the following categories for the students to fill out: age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, financial status and sexual orientation.
According to Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-1-705 and State Statutory Rights of Parents and Students Revised July 2024, “students are not obligated to provide their school or school district with data relating to their political affiliation, religion, voting history and firearm ownership.”
According to the Cumberland County Board of Education Policy 4.101, “District employees shall not include or promote any concepts that would violate state law when providing instruction, using instructional or supplemental materials, or when implementing the instructional program and curriculum.”
The Chronicle spoke with CCHS Principal Cassie Warner, and she directed all inquiries about the investigation to the Central Services office. Warner did not provide any further comment.
Central Services provided the following statement regarding the matter: “When [Director of Schools] Dr. [Rebecca] Farley was made aware of the situation with the teacher at CCHS, she started an internal investigation immediately as soon as she was made aware, and next steps and appropriate actions are underway now.”
Additionally, Central Services said that due to the nature of the investigation as a personnel matter, the results of the investigation will not be released to the public.
The Chronicle left a message with Central Services about whether the teacher has been placed on administrative leave or temporarily suspended for the duration of the investigation. No comment was provided by press time.
Seymour told the Chronicle that she first called Warner to explain the situation and had her daughter transferred to a different class.
Seymour also shared that she felt it was unfair to the students in the class being transferred out of the subject.
“Why should they be penalized, you know, when [the teacher] made it uncomfortable for them?” said Seymour.
Seymour then directed her inquiries to the Board of Education and was put in touch with 9-12 Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Kelly Smith, where she was made aware that the internal investigation was underway.
Kay Stafford also spoke with the Chronicle to share her granddaughter’s perspective of the class.
Stafford said that her granddaughter came home the first day of school and said she didn’t want to go back because of the teacher. Stafford also had her granddaughter transferred from the class.
Several other parents have stepped forward on Facebook to share that their children shared a similar story. Stafford and Seymour said that several students have transferred out of the class.
The school system did not identify the teacher even though a teacher’s name has been provided on social media. The Chronicle has no independent confirmation of an identification. Because the matter is an accusation and under investigation, the teacher’s name is not being released at this time.
This is a developing story. Visit www.crossville-chronicle.com and see an upcoming issue of the Chronicle for more information.