Tyner Middle teacher will appeal termination

A former special education teacher from Tyner Middle Academy will appeal her termination Thursday before the Hamilton County Board of Education.

After Superintendent Jim Scales fired Wendy Tippens, she appealed the decision with a hearing officer, in this case, former Chattanooga City Judge Walter Williams, said school system spokeswoman Danielle Clark.

Williams upheld Scales' decision. Tippens is now taking her case to the board Thursday.

During a negotiation session between the school system and the Hamilton County Education Association Tuesday, members of the teachers' union brought up concerns over what they considered the questionable impartiality of the hearing officers, who all were chosen by board attorney Scott Bennett.

When asked if Tippens' case prompted the conversation, HCEA President Sharon Vandagriff said, "I guess it did."

"We do want to make sure whomever serves on that impartial hearing panel is someone who is not biased," she said.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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