An email was sent to Coffee County Schools staff on April 25 from Director of Schools Dr. Charles Lawson saying that a school board member has requested a meeting to “propose dismissing (Lawson) for cause.”

Lawson said concerning the letter that “because no official action has been taken by the entire Board in this situation, I hesitate to make any official statement in response.”

However, Board Member Robert Gilley said in communication to the Times that his request did not call for Lawson’s termination. 

“I did not request the meeting for termination,” Gilley told the Times.  “It was merely for information of the process to terminate with or without cause. In which all board members did receive the information.

Gilley declined to say more on the situation at this time.

Lawson declined to comment further, “I try to make official statements as it relates to the Board, not Mr. Gilley individually.”

Lawson’s email reasoned that “should this proceed further, (he) will inform the staff because (he) feels it has a direct impact on the district.”

“I am sending this email to let the staff know that Mr. Gilley has requested a meeting with the entire board and the board attorney to propose dismissing me for cause,” Lawson’s email said. 

He writes that he does not know the alleged “cause” that would justify such a move nor has this cause been brought up in discussion in any official board gathering.

“Mr. Gilley has never addressed his proposal in an open meeting.  You now know everything that I know about this topic.  I am simply informing the staff about the status of my contract as I know it at this time,” Lawson writes.

According to Lawson, the school board’s attorney Chuck Cagle has informed the board about the steps that are necessary to remove a director of schools with cause. 

He said that the process will take several weeks to complete and requires public notice throughout. According to state sunshine laws, executive sessions to confer with an attorney can only be an informative session involving current or potential litigation. Deliberation and votes can only be made in open sessions.     

Lawson said in the email that In the past year, he has worked to inform the staff about discussions and votes that have occurred about his contract and status as the Director of Schools. 

Lawson notes in his email that there are two main ways that the Board can dismiss the Director of Schools, for cause and without cause.  The without cause route would require that Lawson be paid the remainder of his salary and benefits.

The board vote on this at the February board meeting failed to pass. 

Dismissal for cause on the grounds of improper conduct would cut any entitlement for further compensation or benefits.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.