ÿWPC dËd1Ü%*OPЬøõ>Dïz%¾ý»R0–‹Òu)ÓV¦8¢¯¼VÙ:J¸cTb†™ïÍ7“m*¢KâÌ9ÁÖ?›û‘FÕ;Ä•}ÔDúáo„V´cyC×߬² T_¿§´Ø–ñ쎞fªHÐMo3‡ØìÌÉœ Àæ¼™_s¥ŸlÞ.Q«¦Õ)•vÞ;7{æócJ=N‹¬§†ë|n-ÇÅrW¡DÎ(øUQÝDg¬* 'Û ý‰3#*!˜ÀBê=@$‚´ÚvæU–w±Ø2\«ÿÁó2qyId÷G}è§…/”¾sÙÑ%•Íë›ü)¸ÃªÈº]· tj:ÈphKhqJGÉTø_Rçµýè0V­ÓŠ¤Ú½÷”ÅrÚœOãZ*–]‘öç°±×@äžÙ%+*§ÞöÃ=~ÄQô÷¶(@^è@¡ú™o×’\ˆœMçnظ›ÅYÌÃ.Í~CŠ@¹*Ÿ™}d‰NáÝ÷ZEGPð´©Ÿœ ý†ˆQ÷q­©¦¬(&†R˜¦`'ÿnA‘Æ®L-Nž_B™™ #¾A‹,`ô¦ß–ÌbÀ?¯` ZBI3¥òèÁÎ÷æçié÷Ÿ=ßÚäPjyjb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ²™ ÆK ÆÆ×Æ 0DcN§§©E±±±^³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³³b 0ë B 0¤! D5Å D-ú 0K'' ASrÆÅ 0¤‹ 0D/ A«s»xh11Þ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularIe'1ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4300 PCL 6ÈÈÈÈ0 ¨Ý ƒRüd$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô«-ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAttention€deficit€hyperactivity€disorder.€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  TÝ ƒRüd$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô«-ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Plaintiff€also€sued€Hamilton€County.€€However,€Hamilton€County€did€not€file€an€Answer€or€any€otherÐ ° Ðpleadings€and€no€action€was€taken€by€the€Plaintiff€or€the€trial€court€as€to€this€Defendant.- ù-(|G2üd$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€m»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô´½ò»»Ô d(|3k$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€m»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3k$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€m»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼»»»ÔÑ8€\IXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îŒî»¼ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼»îîŒ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAugust€10,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X\IX»¼ÔÌò òÔ#†¼»XX\Iô#ÔMICHAELA€BABB€v.€HAMILTON€COUNTY€BOARD€OF€EDUCATION€Ô‡X\IX»¼Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Hamilton€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€03C1151€€€€€€W.€Neil€Thomas,€III,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2004„00782„COA„R3„CVÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ#†¼»XX\In#ÔÔ‡X\IX»¼ÔThis€is€a€suit€brought€by€a€school€teacher€against€the€Hamilton€County€Board€of€Education€under€theÐ xÈ  ÐTennessee€Governmental€Tort€Liability€Act€wherein€the€teacher€alleges€negligence€on€the€part€of€theÐ d´ ÐBoard€of€Education€as€a€result€of€an€assault€on€her€by€a€student€who€was€re„enrolled€in€school€andÐ P  Ðre„placed€in€her€classroom€despite€the€fact€the€student€had€assaulted€her€the€previous€month€and€beenÐ <Œ Ðsuspended€from€school.€The€trial€court€granted€the€Board€of€Educationððs€motion€for€summaryÐ (x Ðjudgment.€€We€hold€that€the€decision€to€place€the€student€back€in€the€teacherððs€classroom,€despiteÐ d Ðthe€previous€assault,€was€a€discretionary€action€for€which€the€Board€of€Education€was€immune€fromÐ P Ðliability.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€and€remand€to€the€trial€court.Ð ì< ÐÓZÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmed;€CauseÐ Ä ÐRemandedó óÐ ° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓSharon€G.€Lee,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€P.J.óó€andÐ ˆØ ÐòòCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr,€J.óó,€joined.Ð tÄ ÐÌJeffrey€D.€Boehm,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant,€Michaela€BabbÐ L œ ÐÌD.€Scott€Bennett,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€Hamilton€County€Board€of€Education€Ð $"t! ÐÌÓâÓÌò òOPINIONó óÐ è$8 $ ÐÌòòóóÓ  Óà  àThe€Appellant,€Michaela€Babb,€was,€at€all€times€relevant€to€the€matters€described€herein,Ð À&"& Ðemployed€by€the€Appellee,€Hamilton€County€Board€of€Education€(hereinafter€HCBE),€as€a€secondÐ ¬'ü"' Ðgrade€school€teacher€at€Orchard€Knob€Elementary€School€in€Hamilton€County,€Tennessee.€€AlexÐ ˜(è#( ÐFields€was€enrolled€as€a€student€in€Ms.€Babbððs€class€during€the€2002„2003€school€year.€Alex€had€aÐ „)Ô$) Ðhistory€of€socially€aggressive€behavior€and,€on€November€20,€2002,€the€school€psychologist€atÐ p*À%* ÐOrchard€Knob€issued€a€psychological€evaluation€report€on€him.€The€report€analyzes€informationÐ \+¬&+ Ðprovided€by€an€assessment€team€composed€of€two€school€psychologists,€two€teachers,€the€schoolÐ H,˜', Ðprincipal,€an€educational€diagnostician,€Alexððs€mother,€his€guardian€òòad€litemóó,€his€Department€ofÐ 4-„(-ý ÐChild€Services€case€manager€and€school€principal,€Betty€Williams.€With€respect€to€AlexððsÐ ° Ðeducational€history,€the€report€shows€ð ð[t]eacher€concerns€included€fighting€in€the€classroom,€notÐ œì Ðsitting€still,€temper€control€issues,€and€not€doing€class€work.ðð€€The€report€indicates€that€AlexððsÐ ˆØ Ðmother€is€also€concerned€that€ð ðAlex€canððt€sit€still,€often€gets€into€fights,€and€doesnððt€mind,€especiallyÐ tÄ Ðat€school.ðð€The€report€closes€with€a€recommendation€statement€which€includes€the€following:Ð `° ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òà Ø àThe€team€should€convene€and€consider€all€assessments€in€planning€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðeducational€program€for€this€student.€€Symptoms€of€ADHD׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€were€observed€in€theÐ $ t Ðclassroom€and€were€reported€by€both€the€mother€and€the€teacher.€€However,€noÐ  ` Ðmedical€statement€has€been€completed,€and€TEAM€evaluation€did€not€diagnoseÐ ü L  ÐADHD€due€to€inconsistent€test€results.€Ð è 8  ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àOn€December€9,€2002,€less€than€one€month€after€the€issuance€of€this€report,€Alex€assaultedÐ À  ÐMs.€Babb€in€her€classroom€by€striking€her€in€the€face.€€As€a€consequence€of€this€€incident,€Alex€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðsuspended€from€school€for€ten€days€by€the€school€principal,€Betty€Williams.€€Ms.€Williams€attestsÐ ˜è  Ðthat€she€had€also€begun€preparations€to€expel€him€pursuant€to€state€and€local€zero„tolerance€policiesÐ „Ô  Ðwhen€she€was€contacted€by€an€official€with€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services€whoÐ pÀ Ðadvised€her€that€she€could€not€legally€expel€Alex€if€his€conduct€was€a€manifestation€of€a€disability.€Ð \¬ ÐMs.€Williams€attests€that€she€thereafter€arranged€for€an€Individualized€Education€ProgramÐ H˜ Ð(hereinafter€ð ðIEPðð)€team€to€review€Alexððs€situation.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àThe€IEP€team,€which€consisted€of€teachers,€the€school€psychologist,€Alexððs€mother,€Ms.Ð  \ ÐWilliams€and€others,€met€on€December€12,€2002.€€The€teamððs€€report€concludes€that€Alex€ð ð[d]oesÐ øH Ðnot€meet€the€standards€for€any€disabilitiesðð€and€that€he€is€not€eligible€for€special€education€for€thatÐ ä4 Ðreason.€€However,€the€report€also€incorporates€an€ð ðAdditional€Written€Noticeðð€section€whichÐ Ð  Ðindicates€a€concern€that€Alex€suffers€from€a€ð ðhealth€impairmentðð€and€the€report€concludes€with€aÐ ¼  Ðdecision€to€close€the€case€as€to€ð ðspecific€learning€disabilityðð€and€to€re„open€the€case€as€to€ð ðhealthÐ ¨ø Ðimpairment.ððÐ ”ä ÐÌà  àOn€January€8,€2003,€Ms.€Williams€returned€Alex€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom.€Unfortunately,Ð l¼ Ðon€the€day€of€his€return€to€the€classroom€Alex€assaulted€both€Ms.€Babb€€and€a€teacherððs€aide€who€wasÐ X ¨ Ðassisting€Ms.€Babb.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àOn€July€3,€2003,€Ms.€Babb€filed€a€cause€of€action€in€the€Hamilton€County€Circuit€CourtÐ #l! Ðagainst€HCBE€Ô_Ô׃T×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ÔØØ€for€damages€under€the€Tennessee€Governmental€Tort€Liability€Act.€The€complaintÐ $X" Ðalleges€that€HCBE€was€negligent€in€ð ðplacing€[Alex]€back€into€a€regular€classroomðð€and€in€placingÐ ô$D # Ðhim€ð ðback€into€the€classroom€of€the€teacher€he€had€previously€assaulted.ðð€€The€complaint€furtherÐ à%0!$ Ðalleges€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôa]sÔ_Ô€a€proximate€result€of€the€second€assault,€Ms.€Babb€suffered€a€traumatic€brain€injuryÐ Ì&"% Ðwith€seizures,€headaches,€dizziness,€blurred€vision,€poor€memory,€emotional€liability,€hearing€lossÐ ° Ðand€dysgraphia.ððÐ œì ÐÌà  àOn€September€3,€2003,€HCBE€filed€its€motion€for€summary€judgment€and€supportingÐ tÄ Ðmemorandum€of€law€in€the€case€asserting€its€immunity€under€the€Tennessee€Governmental€TortÐ `° ÐLiability€Act€arguing€that€Ms.€Williamsðð€decision€to€re„place€Alex€in€Ms.€Ô_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom€was€aÐ L œ Ðdiscretionary€decision€and€that€HCBE€ð ðis€immune€from€suit€for€the€negligent€acts€of€its€employeesÐ 8 ˆ Ðwhere€the€employee€is€acting€according€to€his€or€her€delegated€discretion.ðð€On€September€18,€2003,Ð $ t ÐHCBE€filed€a€reply€in€further€support€of€its€motion€for€summary€judgment€asserting€that€Ms.Ð  ` ÐWilliams€was€prohibited€from€unilaterally€expelling€Alex€because€she€had€reason€to€believe€that€heÐ ü L  Ðmight€qualify€for€protection€under€the€federal€Individuals€with€Disabilities€Education€ActÐ è 8  Ð(hereinafter€ð ðIDEAðð).€€HCBE€argued€that€this€law€prohibits€the€expulsion€of€a€student€pending€aÐ Ô$  Ðdetermination€as€to€whether€the€studentððs€behavior€was€the€manifestation€of€a€disability€and€requiresÐ À  Ðthat€the€student€be€kept€ð ðin€the€then„current€educational€settingðð€during€that€period€of€time.€€HCBEÐ ¬ü  Ðcontended€that€when€Ms.€Williams€returned€Alex€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom€she€merely€exercised€herÐ ˜è  Ðdiscretion€within€the€restrictions€placed€upon€her€under€the€IDEA.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àIn€response€to€Ô_ÔHCBEÔ_Ôððs€motion€for€summary€judgment,€Ms.€Babb€argued€that€both€state€lawÐ \¬ Ðand€local€mandates€categorize€the€striking€of€a€teacher€as€a€zero€tolerance€offense€which€requiresÐ H˜ Ðexpulsion€for€one€year.€Therefore,€Ms.€Babb€contends,€Ms.€Williams€did€not€have€discretion€to€placeÐ 4„ ÐAlex€back€in€her€classroom€and,€accordingly,€HCBE€is€liable€for€her€actions.€€€€Ð  p ÐÌà  à€On€March€8,€2004,€the€trial€court€entered€its€memorandum€and€judgment€which€sets€forthÐ øH Ðits€finding€that€Ms.€Williamsðð€decision€was€a€discretionary€decision€which€involved€ð ðbalancing€theÐ ä4 Ðrequirements€of€zero€tolerance€with€the€requirements€of€federal€legislation.ðð€€Based€upon€thisÐ Ð  Ðfinding,€the€Court€determined€that€HCBE€was€immune€from€suit€under€the€Tennessee€GovernmentalÐ ¼  ÐTort€Liability€Act.€€This€appeal€followed.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àThe€sole€issue€presented€in€this€appeal€is€whether€Ms.€Williamsðð€decision€to€re„place€AlexÐ €Ð Ðin€Ms.€Ô_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom€was€an€exercise€of€discretion€for€which€the€HCBE€is€immune€from€liabilityÐ l¼ Ðunder€the€Tennessee€Governmental€Tort€Liability€Act.€€It€is€our€opinion€that€the€school€principalððsÐ X ¨ Ðdecision€in€regards€to€placing€the€student€back€in€the€classroom€was€a€discretionary€function,€andÐ D!” Ðtherefore,€the€Defendant€is€immune€from€liability€under€the€Tennessee€Governmental€Tort€LiabilityÐ 0"€  ÐAct.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àOur€standard€of€review€is€well€settled.€€Summary€judgment€proceedings€are€efficient€andÐ ô$D # Ðeffective€vehicles€for€concluding€cases€that€can€and€should€be€decided€on€legal€issues€alone.€Ð à%0!$ ÐHowever,€these€proceedings€€should€not€serve€as€a€substitute€for€a€trial€of€genuine€and€materialÐ Ì&"% Ðfactual€matters.€€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€208,€210„211€(Tenn.€1997);€òò€Bellamy€v.€Federal€ExpressÐ ¸'#& ÐCorp.óó,€749€S.W.2d€31,€33€(Tenn.€1988).€€Summary€judgments€should€be€awarded€only€when€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmoving€party€has€demonstrated€that€there€is€no€genuine€issue€as€to€any€material€fact€and€that€theÐ )à$( Ðmoving€party€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€Tenn.€R.Civ.P.€56.04;€òòBain€v.€Wellsóó,€936Ð |*Ì%) ÐS.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€1997);€òòCarvell€v.€Bottomsóó,€900€S.W.€2d€23,€26€(Tenn.€1995).Ð h+¸&* Їà  àNo€presumption€of€correctness€attaches€to€the€lower€courtððs€judgment€and€our€task€isÐ ° Ðconfined€to€reviewing€the€record€to€determine€whether€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€haveÐ œì Ðbeen€met.€We€must€view€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€nonmoving€party,€which€inÐ ˆØ Ðthis€case€is€the€Plaintiff,€and€must€draw€all€reasonable€inferences€in€favor€of€the€nonmoving€party.€Ð tÄ ÐòòStaples€v.€CBL€&€Associates,€Incóó.,€15€S.W.3d€83,€89€(Tenn.€2000).€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Governmental€Tort€Liability€Act€is€embodied€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„20„Ð 8 ˆ Ð101,€òòet€seq.€óóand€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„20„205€with€respectÐ $ t Ðto€the€immunity€of€a€government€entity€such€as€HCBE:Ð  ` ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òà Ø à€Immunity€from€suit€of€all€governmental€entities€is€removed€for€injuryÐ è 8  Ðproximately€caused€by€a€negligent€act€or€omission€of€any€employee€within€theÐ Ô$  Ðscope€of€his€employment€except€if€the€injury€arises€out€of:Ð À  Ѐ(òò1)€the€exercise€or€performance€or€the€failure€to€exercise€or€perform€aÐ ¬ü  Ðdiscretionary€function,€whether€or€not€the€discretion€is€abused;€óó(Emphasis€added).òòÐ ˜è  ЀóóÐ „Ô  ÐÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àIn€òòBowers€by€Bowers€v.€City€of€Chattanooga,€óó826€S.W.2d€427,€430„431€(Tenn.€1992)€theÐ pÀ ÐTennessee€Supreme€Court€adopted€a€ð ðplanning„operationalðð€test€as€a€means€of€determining€whenÐ \¬ Ðthe€action€of€a€government€employee€€constitutes€a€discretionary€function€under€the€above€statute:Ð H˜ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òà Ø àUnder€the€planning„operational€test,€decisions€that€rise€to€the€level€ofÐ  p Ðplanning€or€policy„making€are€considered€discretionary€acts€which€do€not€give€rise€Ð  \ Ðto€tort€liability,€while€decisions€that€are€merely€operational€are€not€consideredÐ øH Ðdiscretionary€acts€and,€therefore,€do€not€give€rise€to€immunity.Ð ä4 ÐÌ...Ð ¼  ÐÌA€consideration€of€the€decision„making€process,€as€well€as€the€factors€influencingÐ ”ä Ða€particular€decision,€will€often€reveal€whether€that€decision€is€to€be€viewed€asÐ €Ð Ðplanning€or€operational.€€If€a€particular€course€of€conduct€is€determined€afterÐ l¼ Ðconsideration€or€debate€by€an€individual€or€group€charged€with€the€formulation€ofÐ X ¨ Ðplans€or€policies,€it€strongly€suggests€the€result€is€a€planning€decision.€€TheseÐ D!” Ðdecisions€often€result€from€assessing€priorities;€allocating€resources;€developingÐ 0"€  Ðpolicies;€or€establishing€plans,€specifications€or€schedules.Ð #l! ÐÌà Ø àOn€the€other€hand,€a€decision€resulting€from€a€determination€based€onÐ ô$D # Ðpreexisting€laws,€regulations,€policies,€or€standards,€usually€indicates€that€itsÐ à%0!$ Ðmaker€is€performing€an€operational€act.€€Similarly€operational€are€those€ad€hocÐ Ì&"% Ðdecisions€made€by€an€individual€or€group€not€charged€with€the€development€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðplans€or€policies.€€These€operational€acts,€which€often€implement€prior€planning€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðdecisions,€are€not€ð ðdiscretionary€functionsðððð€within€the€meaning€of€the€TennesseeÐ )à$( ÐGovernmental€Tort€Liability€Act.€€In€other€words,€ð ðthe€discretionary€functionÐ |*Ì%) Ðexception€[will]€not€apply€to€a€claim€that€governmental€employees€failed€toÐ h+¸&* Ðcomply€with€regulations€or€policies€designed€to€guide€their€actions€in€a€particularÐ ° Ðsituation.ðð€€(Citations€omitted).€€€€Ð œì ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àIn€support€of€her€argument€that€Ms.€Williams€lacked€discretion€to€return€Alex€to€herÐ tÄ Ðclassroom,€Ms.€Babb€references€€Ô_ÔHCBEÔ_Ôððs€own€Code€of€Acceptable€Behavior€and€Discipline€whichÐ `° Ðidentifies€ð ðstriking€a€teacherðð€as€a€ð ðzero€tolerance€offenseðð€and€which€requires€that€a€student€whoÐ L œ Ðcommits€this€offense€be€expelled€for€one€year.€€Ms.€Babb€also€cites€Tenn.€Code€Ann.ðð€49„6„3401(g)Ð 8 ˆ Ðwhich€provides€that€ð ða€student€committing€battery€upon€any€teacher€...€shall€be€expelled€for€a€periodÐ $ t Ðof€not€less€than€one€(1)€calendar€year...€.ðð€€Ms.€Babb€€argues€that€given€these€state€and€local€mandatesÐ  ` ÐMs.€Williams€was€presented€with€an€operational€€decision,€having€no€choice€but€to€expel€Alex€fromÐ ü L  Ðschool.€Ms.€Babb€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€concluding€that€Ms.€Williams€was€presentedÐ è 8  Ðwith€the€discretionary€decision€of€balancing€€the€requirements€of€the€existing€zero€tolerance€policyÐ Ô$  Ðwith€the€requirements€of€the€IDEA.€Ð À  ÐÌà  àIn€òòWilson€County€School€System€v.€Cliftonóó,€41€S.W.3d€645,649€€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000),€we€Ð ˜è  Ðreiterated€some€of€the€basic€goals€and€requirements€of€the€IDEA:Ð „Ô  ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒIn€enacting€the€IDEA,€Congress€intended,€òòinter€aliaóó,€ð ðto€ensure€that€all€childrenÐ \¬ Ðwith€disabilities€have€available€to€them€a€free€appropriate€public€education€thatÐ H˜ Ðemphasizes€special€education€and€related€services€designed€to€meet€their€uniqueÐ 4„ Ðneeds€and€prepare€them€for€employment€and€independent€living.ðð€€20€U.S.C.A.Ð  p Ððð€1400(d)(1)(A)€(West€2000).€€To€this€end,€the€IDEA€requires€public€schoolÐ  \ Ðdistricts€to€develop€a€curriculum€ð ðtailored€to€the€unique€needs€of€the€[disabled]Ð øH Ðchild€by€means€of€an€ððindividualized€educational€programðððð€(IEP)€òòClevelandÐ ä4 ÐHeights„Univ.€Heights€City€Sch.€Dist.€v.€Bossóó,€144€F.3d€391,€397„398€(6òòthóó€Cir.Ð Ð  Ð1998)€(quoting€òòBoard€of€Educ.€v.€Rowleyóó,€458€U.S.€176,€181„182,€102€S.€Ct.€3034,Ð ¼  Ð73€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€690€(1982)).Ð ¨ø ÐÌ...Ð €Ð ÐÌà Ø àThe€IDEA€requires€public€school€districts€to€ensure€that€children€withÐ X ¨ Ðdisabilities€are€educated€ð ðto€the€maximum€extent€appropriateðð€with€nondisabledÐ D!” Ðchildren.€€òòDoe€v.€Board€of€Educ.óó,€9€F.3d€455,€460€(6òòthóó€Cir.€1993),€òòcert.€deniedóó,€511Ð 0"€  ÐU.S.€1108,€114€S.Ct.€2104,€128€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€665€(1994);€20€U.S.C.A.€ðð€1412(a)(5)(A)Ð #l! Ð(West€2000).€€In€this€way,€Congress€has€stated€a€ð ðvery€strongðð€preference€forÐ $X" Ðð ðmainstreamingðð€disabled€children€by€placing€them€in€regular€classes€whereÐ ô$D # Ðfeasible.€òòDoe€v.€Board€of€Educ.,óó9€F.€3d€at€460.€Nevertheless,€this€ð ðmainstreamingððÐ à%0!$ Ðrequirement€is€not€absolute,€and€courts€have€recognized€that€mainstreaming€is€notÐ Ì&"% Ðrequired€in€every€case.€€òòId.€€óóInstead,€the€proper€inquiry€remains€whether€theÐ ¸'#& Ðproposed€placement€is€appropriate€under€the€IDEA.€òò€Id.óóÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àThe€IDEA€€decrees,€as€set€forth€at€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1415(k)(4)(5),€that€before€a€local€educationalÐ |*Ì%) Ðagency€can€suspend€a€disabled€child€from€school€for€more€than€ten€days€there€must€be€aÐ h+¸&* Ðmanifestation€determination€review€ð ðby€the€IEP€Team€and€other€qualified€personnelðð€to€determineÐ ° Ðthe€relationship€between€the€childððs€disability€and€the€behavior€for€which€such€suspension€isÐ œì Ðcontemplated.€€The€behavior€of€the€child€will€not€be€deemed€to€be€a€manifestation€of€the€childððsÐ ˆØ Ðdisability€and€will€subject€the€child€to€disciplinary€procedures€applicable€to€children€withoutÐ tÄ Ðdisabilities,€only€if,€òòinter€alia,€óóð ðthe€childððs€disability€did€not€impair€the€ability€of€the€child€toÐ `° Ðunderstand€the€impact€and€consequences€of€the€behavior€subject€to€disciplinary€action€...€and€...€theÐ L œ Ðchildððs€disability€did€not€impair€the€ability€of€the€child€to€control€the€behavior€subject€to€disciplinaryÐ 8 ˆ Ðaction.ðð€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àMs.€Babb€argues€that€Ms.€Williams€was€not€obliged€to€consider€Alexððs€rights€under€the€IDEAÐ ü L  Ðbecause€on€December€12,€2002,€the€IEP€Team€determined,€as€evidenced€by€Ô_ÔitsÔ_Ô€report,€that€AlexÐ è 8  Ðð ð[d]oes€not€meet€the€standards€for€any€disabilities.ðð€€In€further€support€of€this€argument€Ms.€BabbÐ Ô$  Ðreferences€the€IEP€teamððs€discussion€notes€of€that€date€as€follows:Ð À  ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒððNo€SLDðð€„€He€doesnððt€have€a€learning€disability.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ...Ð pÀ Ð[T]he€student€has€not€been€diagnosed€with€AD/HD€at€this€point.€€According€to€theÐ \¬ ÐBASC€rating€by€mom€„€there€appears€to€be€no€evidence€of€AD/HD.Ð H˜ ÐÌ...Ð  p ÐTeam€evaluation€also€rejected€AD/HD€based€on€test€in€2000.Ð  \ ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àThe€December€12,€2002,€report€of€the€IEP€team€does€indicate€that€Alex€fails€to€meet€theÐ ä4 Ðstandards€for€any€disabilities€and€for€that€reason€is€not€eligible€for€special€education.€€However,€whileÐ Ð  Ðit€is€clear€from€the€report€and€attached€discussion€notes€that€the€team€did€not€find€that€Alex€exhibitsÐ ¼  Ða€specific€learning€disability,€€the€discussion€notes€also€evidence€a€determination€that€the€evaluationÐ ¨ø Ðof€Alex€should€continue€based€upon€the€teamððs€concern€that€Alex€may€otherwise€suffer€from€a€healthÐ ”ä Ðimpairment€of€some€nature.€€This€concern€appears€to€be€specifically€related€to€the€possibility€€thatÐ €Ð ÐAlex€may€be€manifesting€symptoms€of€AD/HD€and€that€further€investigation€is€warranted€in€thatÐ l¼ Ðrespect.€€Thus,€while€the€team€concludes€that€Alex€ð ðhas€not€been€diagnosed€with€AD/HD€òòat€thisÐ X ¨ Ðpointðð€óó€(emphasis€added)€and€indicates€that€tests€and€ratings€conducted€to€date€have€not€presentedÐ D!” Ðevidence€of€AD/HD,€it€is€apparent€that,€based€upon€a€reasonable€analysis€of€its€own€observations€andÐ 0"€  Ðother€information,€the€team€suspects€that€Alexððs€behavior€is€a€manifestation€of€a€health€impairment,Ð #l! Ðspecifically€AD/HD.€€€Accordingly,€the€team€obviously€does€not€reach€a€final€decision€in€the€matterÐ $X" Ðon€December12,€2002.€€Our€conclusion€in€this€regard€is€inescapable€based€upon€a€complete€readingÐ ô$D # Ðof€the€teamððs€discussion€notes€which€in€their€entirety€provide€as€follows:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒDiscussion:€Alex€was€a€Woodmore€student€prior€to€transferral€here.€€IQ€88€lowÐ ¸'#& Ðaverage.€€WJ€III€was€given€by€Team€Eval.€and€the€score€were€compatable.€€òòAlexÐ ¤(ô#' Ðseemed€to€be€restless€&€mobile€during€testingóó.€€Weakness€is€reading€„€LW€IQ€=Ð )à$( Ð88€„€Word€attack€average.€€Low€Phonics€skills.€€Reading€fluency€81€„€òòhe€couldnððtÐ |*Ì%) Ðstay€focused.ó󀄀Refer€to€assessment€report.€€Broad€reading€=€55.€€Reading€avg.Ð h+¸&* ÐVocabulary€91.€€òòAlexððs€attention€is€definitely€a€factor.€€óóBroad€math€=€88€avg.€Ð ° ÐBroad€Lang.€=€86€=€Avg.€€Broad€Listening€=€83.€òòAgain€it€appears€to€be€anÐ œì Ðattention€problem.Ð ˆØ ÐÌóóð ðNO€SLDðð€=€€He€doesnððt€have€a€learning€disability.€€òòHis€behaviors€appear€to€beÐ `° Ðthat€the€student€could€not€remain€seated.€€Ð L œ ÐÌóóThere€is€some€concern€as€to€what€his€academic€records€are€at€this€point.€€There€isÐ $ t Ðnot€form€12€and€the€student€has€not€been€diagnosed€with€AD/HD€at€this€point.Ð  ` ÐÌAccording€to€the€BASC€€rating€by€mom€„€there€appears€to€be€no€evidence€ofÐ è 8  ÐAD/HD.€€The€teachers€response€appears€to€be€significant.€òò74€„€Hyperactivityóó.Ð Ô$  ÐRefer€to€BASC€Report.€„€òòthe€74€is€highóó.€Team€evaluation€also€rejected€AD/HDÐ À  Ðbased€on€testing€in€2000€(2€yrs.€old).Ð ¬ü  ÐÌòò*€Concerns€„€Ron€„€Is€this€studentððs€medical€condition/€AD/HD€„€ProposedÐ „Ô  ÐAD/HD€is€impacting€his€condition.Ð pÀ ÐÌTeam€suggest€that€we€close€the€case€for€SLD€and€re„open€a€case€for€HealthÐ H˜ ÐImpaired.Ð 4„ ÐÌóóBe€careful€to€not€touch€this€student.€€There€is€some€history.Ð  \ ÐÌJulie€Peters€will€submit€different€ideas€as€to€how€staff€should€handle€this€student.Ð ä4 ÐÌòòThis€student€is€protected€under€IDEA€due€the€fact€that€thisóó€òòstudent€has€a€suspectedÐ ¼  Ðdisability.Ð ¨ø ÐÌóó*€CSA€will€hire€someone€to€sit€with€Alex€during€school.Ð €Ð ÐÌAlex€hit€a€teacher€on€12/9/02€and€he€was€suspended€for€zero€tolerance€but€òòsinceÐ X ¨ Ðthis€student€is€suspected€of€having€a€disability€óóMrs.€B.€Williams,€Principal€hasÐ D!” Ðdecided€to€reduce€suspension€until€Jan€8òòthóó€,€2003.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)Ð $X" ÐÌà Ø àThe€last€page€of€the€report€states:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌDESCRIPTION€OF€ACTION/DECISION€AND€EXPLANATION:€€Team€suggest€Ð ¸'#& Ðthat€we€close€the€case€on€SLD.€€òòTeam€will€reopen€a€new€case€for€Health€Impaired.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌóóOTHER€FACTORS€RELEVANT€TO€THE€PROPOSED€ACTION:€Close€the€caseÐ |*Ì%) Ðfor€SLD.€€òòRe„open€the€case€for€Health€Impaired.Ð h+¸&* Їóó(Emphasis€added.)€Ð ° Ðòò€Ð œì ÐÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òóóà  àThat€portion€of€the€IDEA€set€forth€at€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1401(3)(A)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(ii)€defines€ð ða€childòò€óówith€aÐ ˆØ Ðdisabilityðð€as€a€child:Ð tÄ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òà Ø à(i)€with€mental€retardation,€hearing€impairments€(including€deafness),Ð L œ Ðspeech€or€language€impairments,€visual€impairments€(including€blindness),Ð 8 ˆ Ðserious€emotional€disturbance€(hereinafter€referred€to€as€ð ðemotional€disturbanceðð),Ð $ t Ðorthopedic€impairments,€autism,€traumatic€brain€injury,€òòother€health€impairmentsóó,Ð  ` Ðor€specific€learning€disabilities;€and€Ð ü L  Ðà Ø à(ii)€who,€by€reason€thereof,€needs€special€education€and€related€services.Ð è 8  ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)Ð À  ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àIt€is€clear€that€the€manifestation€determination€review€under€20€USC€ðð€1415(k)(4)(5)€had€notÐ ˜è  Ðconcluded€when€the€IEP€issued€its€report€on€December€12,€2002,€but€was€still€pending€with€a€shiftÐ „Ô  Ðof€focus€from€one€designation€under€the€Act€(ð ðspecific€learning€disabilitiesðð)€to€another€(ð ðotherÐ pÀ Ðhealth€impairmentsðð).€€Subsection€(j)€of€€ðð€1415€further€provides:Ð \¬ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Ò[D]uring€the€pendency€of€any€proceedings€conducted€pursuant€to€this€section,Ð 4„ Ðunless€the€State€or€local€educational€agency€and€the€parents€otherwise€agree,€theÐ  p Ðchild€shall€remain€in€the€then„current€educational€placement€of€such€child€...€untilÐ  \ Ðall€such€proceedings€have€been€completed.€€Ð øH ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àThis€so„called€ð ðstay€putðð€provision€of€the€IDEA€did€not€allow€Ms.€Williams€the€option€ofÐ Ð  Ðexpelling€Alex€from€school€and€once€this€became€apparent€she€was€faced€with€the€decision€of€whereÐ ¼  Ðto€place€him€within€the€school.€€As€to€the€decision€she€reached,€in€that€regard€Ms.€Williams€attestsÐ ¨ø Ðas€follows:Ð ”ä ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒIn€particular€I€decided€to€reassign€[Alex]€back€to€Ms.€Ô_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom.€€I€thoughtÐ l¼ Ðit€would€be€difficult€for€the€child€to€adjust€to€a€new€classroom€midway€through€theÐ X ¨ Ðschool€year.€€Additionally,€I€believed€it€would€be€difficult€for€a€new€classroom€andÐ D!” Ða€new€teacher€to€adjust€to€this€particular€boy.€€Ultimately,€I€believed€that€Ms.Ð 0"€  ÐÔ_ÔBabbÔ_Ôððs€classroom€was€the€best€placement€[for]€this€child€since€he€had€been€thereÐ #l! Ðfor€the€first€semester.€€Moreover,€with€the€assistance€of€a€teacherððs€aide,€I€believedÐ $X" Ðwe€were€maximizing€the€chances€this€boy€could€control€himself€and€succeed€inÐ ô$D # Ða€regular€education€Ô_ÔenviornmentÔ_Ô.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àIt€is€certainly€unfortunate€that€the€Plaintiff€was€injured€by€a€young€student€while€performingÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€duties€of€her€profession.€€However,€the€school€principal€was€required€to€balance€the€interests€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€zero€tolerance€policy€versus€the€need€to€comply€with€federal€law.€€This€decision€was€a€difficultÐ )à$( Ðâ âone,€and€by€necessity€required€the€use€of€discretion€on€the€part€of€the€school€principal.€€Therefore,Ð |*Ì%) Ðunder€the€circumstances€presented€in€this€case,€Ms.€Williamsðð€decision€to€re„place€Alex€in€Ms.Ð ° ÐBabbððs€classroom€was€clearly€a€discretionary€decision€for€which€HCBE€is€not€subject€to€liability.€Ð œì Ðâ âà  àÌà  à€For€the€foregoing€reasons€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€and€the€cause€isÐ tÄ Ðremanded€for€collection€of€costs€below.€€Costs€of€appeal€are€adjudged€against€Michaela€Babb€andÐ `° Ðher€surety.Ð L œ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________Ð ü L  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àò òSHARON€G.€LEE,€€JUDGEó óÐ è 8  ÐÌÌ€€€€€à  àà ` àÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌ€€€€€€€à  àÐ pÀ Ðà  à€€€€€€Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àà ` àÔ#†¼»XX\I‰#Ô