by Christopher Nalls, Johnny Maffei – Fox 17 News – Nashville
Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle is now speaking out about the $6.5 million settlement paid to five former administrators who accused the district of retaliation and discrimination. (Photos: FOX 17 News)
$6.5 Million Settlement Reaction: https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLOzomnNJmY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — After weeks of public silence from Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) leadership, Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle is now speaking out about the $6.5 million settlement paid to five former administrators who accused the district of retaliation and discrimination.
The settlement, the largest in MNPS history, comes after the former employees alleged they lost their jobs after raising concerns about Dr. Battle’s leadership, including a controversial lesson titled “Let’s Make a Slave,” and calls for disciplinary action against her brother, Coach Carlton Battle, who was accused of fighting a parent and mishandling school funds.
Until now, the district’s top officials—including Dr. Battle and school board members—declined to comment publicly.
Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle speaks at a voucher conference earlier this summer. (Photo: FOX 17 News)
But at a back-to-school event this week, Dr. Battle addressed the controversy.
“The truth of the matter is, we still stand on the decisions that we made. I think what you will see is that the results speak for themselves.”
She went on to defend the district’s choice to move forward with the settlement and emphasized the need to focus on the new school year rather than past litigation.
“Sure. I mean, what that particular situation five years ago, just being settled this school year. The truth of the matter is, we still stand on the decisions that we made. I think what you will see is that the results speak for themselves, and part of that process is for us to get to today. Today, on the first day of school, we’re able to be focused on the 80,000 plus students that we’re welcoming back to Metro Nashville Public Schools, so that our educators, our principals, our support staff at the district level are all focused on the right things, and that’s the kids—continuing moving the needle for all of the students that we serve.”
The settlement, finalized earlier this summer, raised eyebrows not only because of its size but also due to the lack of public discussion. When FOX 17 News asked MNPS school board member Zach Young about the case, he replied: “I don’t talk to Sinclair.”
Advocates Call Out Lack of Transparency
Education advocate and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, JC Bowman, criticized the district’s handling of the case and questioned the decision to allow Dr. Battle to remain involved in the process.
“It’s never the crime, Chris. They always tell us, it’s the cover-up. And that’s what it looks like, somebody’s trying to cover something up. Let each case come out and deal with that,” said Bowman. “If there’s a lawsuit filed, let your lawyers lawyer. Get out of that. Don’t be involved in it.”
In a more detailed interview, Bowman added that the superintendent should have recused herself entirely, especially since her own family member was implicated.
“Yeah, anytime a lawsuit involves not just the superintendent, but then a superintendent member’s family, you’re starting to get into something really interesting. Because I think, you know, nepotism, it would have been well if she had excused herself from the whole debate and been removed from that situation.
So even Metro Council, because it’s separate, Metro Government provides counsel for the school system. It would have been well done to have them step in and do this on behalf of the school system, whatever the outcome would have been, and to make sure it was transparent and discussed on the front end.
My understanding is that the original federal court ruling was in 2023. They’ve known about this for a long time. They could have settled it earlier and probably dealt with it. But once it got to 2025, which is five years later, it seems like it just got bigger. They combined it; I would’ve taken each case separately.
There are still pending court cases, one with Howard Jones, for example, and another involving the young woman killed at Antioch High School.
I get put in the position of defending public education all the time, but this really smacked of a lack of transparency. I don’t think Dr. Battle necessarily intended for it to be like that. I think she gets blinded. And it’s human nature when it involves someone in your family.
I don’t know whether it was malfeasance or an admission of guilt. All I know is someone’s getting a check, everyone’s staying quiet, and moving on. Does this close the door? Or are there more lawsuits coming?
And if I’m a teacher and I’ve got something pending like this, it kind of sets a benchmark. It says, Hey, Metro Schools is going to pay you, so go ahead and sue the district. You’re going to see more lawsuits go to trial. It hits leadership.”
$6.5 Million Settlement Reaction: https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLOzomnNJmY
You must be logged in to post a comment.