‘Unfair and irresponsible’: Grundy County school board member accused of political coercion

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tennessee — A Grundy County school board member is accused of instructing teachers at Swiss Memorial Elementary School on how to vote in the upcoming election during a retirement party at the school.

The board will address the unidentified member at its next meeting, according to a post Tuesday on the Grundy County School District Facebook page.

The letter states that on May 17, the board member attended an end-of-year celebration for the retirement of a long-time faculty member at Swiss Elementary School.

Several teachers reported to the board that the board member “asked teachers where they lived and, based on their answers, told them how they should vote in the upcoming board election.”

The woman also allegedly said that if voters voted in certain board members, the board would close Swiss Memorial, leaving teachers without jobs.

This type of activity is illegal in Tennessee and violates the state code known as the Little Hatch Act.

The letter from Grundy County Schools Superintendent Clint Durley and School Board Chairman Rick Rust states:

First, no board member has the right to speak on behalf of the board on any matter. The board never considered closing Swiss, and it was inappropriate for the board member to suggest that it had done so – if she had. Rest assured, we have no intention of closing Swiss.

The letter continues

If the board member suggested that voting one way or the other could cost teachers their jobs, then that action was unfair, irresponsible and possibly criminal.

The letter also included an apology “for any anxiety arising” from the alleged incident.

The board said it would address the issue at its next meeting and the board’s attorney was asked to speak to the district attorney general to investigate possible criminal charges.

We have reached out to the board for more details. Please count on us to keep you informed.