Comment on Expelled student reinstated after Hawkins BOE violates two of its own policies

ROGERSVILLE — A Volunteer High School student who was arrested at a Sept. 13 football game was attending alternative school orientation Wednesday, despite a Tuesday evening hearing during which the Board of Education affirmed his expulsion while violating two of its own policies. The Hawkins County Board of Education voted 4-3 to deny the 17-year-old senior an appeal hearing and upheld his expulsion. Board members Tecky Hicks and Chris Christian pointed out, however, that the BOE violated its own policy when it failed to identify the purpose of Tuesday’s special called meeting in its public notice. The board is also in violation of its policy because it has failed to properly approve or appoint the disciplinary hearing authority that voted last month to expel the boy. Board policy states that the authority must be appointed each year by the BOE, but Hicks noted that the appointments haven’t come up for a vote during his five years on the board. The disciplinary hearing authority is currently comprised of High School Supervisor Wes Smith, Attendance Supervisor Greg Sturgill and Clinch High School Principal Denise McKee. Hicks, Christian and Cathy Cradic voted in favor of allowing the student an appeal hearing, while Jackie Charles, Debbie Shedden, Holly Helton and BOE Chairman Bob Larkins voted against. The expulsion is overturned The student’s parents and attorney Troy Bowlin were prepared to file a lawsuit against the BOE after Tuesday’s vote to affirm his expulsion. However, moments after the meeting adjourned, attorney Lawrence Giordano, who represented the school board, asked Bowlin to make sure the student and his parents didn’t leave. The attorneys, the student, and his parents then met with Director of Schools Reba Bailey, Smith and Larkins. During that meeting, Bailey offered to allow the student to attend Pathways Alternative School until Nov.