Office of General Counsel

The attorneys of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) provide legal advice and support to the Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) personnel, and the State Special Schools. In addition the OGC speaks at conferences, conventions, and workshops across the state for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and state education and child-focused organizations. Upon request, the OGC will design and provide specific training to meet an agency’s needs. OGC attorneys do not represent local school districts or the general public, and they will not provide legal advice or services to local school districts or the general public.

Any communication with an OGC attorney in his or her official capacity by a member of the general public or a local school district employee or agent is not privileged and is subject to public release under Tennessee Open Records laws.

Nothing on this page is intended to constitute legal advice; instead all information is for general informational purposes only. Answers to questions depend upon specific facts. Local school districts should always contact their board attorneys for specific legal advice.

Legal Resources Toolkit

Memos from the Office of General Counsel

• Director Memo on New Procedures for LEAs for Reporting Cases of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect
  
• Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Public School Fees
• Commissioner of Education’s Obligation to Enforce State Law and State Board of Education Rules
• Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act of 2014
• Funding Students Educated in Court-Ordered Day Treatment Facilities (T.C.A. § 49-3-308)
• Lead in Drinking Water
• New Laws Regarding Teacher Ethics and Teacher Misconduct
• Reminder of Department of Children's Services (DCS) Background Check Requirements
• Reminder of Educators Legal Obligation to Report Suspected Child Abuse
• Safety for DCS Staff
• Guidance on 17-Year-Old Students Attending Adult Education Programs  

           Services for Minors Policy       

Required District Training

Which Trainings for Local Education Agencies Are Required by Law?

FAQs

Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Public School Fees

Top Back to School Legal Questions

Teacher Tenure Law FAQ

LEA Waiver Requests

LEA Waiver Request Form

LEA Waiver Request Application: COVID-19 Relief 

Legal Links

• Tennessee General Assembly
• Office of the Attorney General
• Tennessee Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Constitution, Index
• U.S. Code
• U.S. Dept. of Ed., Special Education Programs
• U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights’ Guidance
• Congressional Information
• State Board of Education
• Lexis Law Publishing Legal Resources

   
To Access Tennessee Laws:

1. Go to the Tennessee Code Unannotated Free Public Access page on Lexis Nexis
2. Agree to the Terms & Conditions
3. At the top of the page in the Search field, enter the code number (i.e. 49-1-101) or search by keyword in Title 49.

OGC staff may be reached at (615) 741-2921

• General Counsel: Christy Ballard
  • Paralegal: Nikkie Kiene
  • Executive Administrative Assistant: Kim Pomeroy
• Deputy General Counsel: Lee Danley
  • Director of School Approval: LaQuisha Oliver
  • Administrative Services Manager: Paul Rainwater
  • Staff Attorney: David Oldham
• Assistant General Counsel for Procurement: Joanna Collins
• Assistant General Counsel for Civil Rights and Special Populations:  Rachel Suppe
  • Staff Attorney: Shaundraya Hersey
  • Staff Attorney: Taylor Jenkins
  • IDEA Complaint Investigator:  Tricia Craig
  • IDEA Complaints Investigator: Dana Johnson