ÿWPCw& …# VUNa %¯ 0 (µw@Ý4 1 0l@ 0D¬ 0Jð 0T: 0^Ž 0hì 0rT 0|Æ 0†B 0È 1uX 0dÍ U>1B)oDC˜ AMÛU*(àRh2âšœ|ÚØò'Êv~ñ D3o B¢vÓ¿ 0@’$ AOÒ$Æ!% 0Dç% D/+& BZ&˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0nLHÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ÕUÖףؠ٠ڠ۠ÜÝÓ€çDÒ 3|xç((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô  ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)P ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman% Line 7 d7Border 1dd€-Cþÿ << Gÿÿ< Œ 9p`(Arial ÖÝ ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÔ€!ÔÔ€!ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€!XÔÌÌApril€11,€1997ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó ó ^Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝWarrenððs€husband,€Karl€Stanley€Davidson,€filed€a€claim€for€loss€of€consortium€and€is€anÏappellant€in€this€appeal.€€The€lawsuit€as€to€Jim€Wells,€Juvenile€Court€Probation€Officer,€theÏMetropolitan€Board€of€Education€of€Nashville€and€Davidson€County,€and€the€two€students€wasÏvoluntarily€dismissed.€The€suit€as€to€Metropolitan€Nashville€Education€Association€(MNEA)€wasÏdismissed,€upon€motion,€by€the€trial€court.€€Although€the€appellants€have€appealed€from€this€rulingÏand€have€designated€MNEA€as€an€appellee€in€their€brief,€MNEA€has€not€filed€a€brief€with€thisÏCourt.€€Therefore,€for€purposes€of€this€opinion,€all€references€to€the€ð ðappelleeðð€pertain€to€Metro.€ÏThe€record€also€shows€that€defendants€State€of€Tennessee€and€State€of€Tennessee€Department€ofÏYouth€Development€moved€to€dismiss€the€action€as€to€them.€€The€record€does€not€reflect€a€rulingÏthereon.€€However,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€was€rendered€final€as€to€Metro€in€accordanceÏwith€Rule€54.02€T.R.C.P.€and€is€properly€before€us.Ì ØÝ ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€record€reflects€that€Student€was€followed€by€a€juvenile€probation€officer€and€was€onÏlegal€probation.Ì ’Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÓ` Ü` ˜XÓThe€ð ðknown€criminal€actsðð€for€which€Metro€allegedly€failed€to€properly€discipline€StudentÏwere€cited€as€an€April€1989€incident€(breaking€and€entering€at€Bass€school),€November€16,€1989Ïincident€(assault€on€female€student),€November€17,€1989€(burglary/forced€entry)€and€a€NovemberÏ22,€1989€incident€(criminal€trespass€at€Bass).€€It€was€also€alleged€that€Metro€failed€to€properlyÏdiscipline€Student€for€repeated€violation€of€school€disciplinary€rules,€9€office€referrals€to€be€exact,Ïin€the€fall€semester€of€1989.€Ì ÐÝ ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝWe€note€that€Appellants€have€also€raised€issues€regarding€Warrenððs€contractual€status€andÏthe€exhaustion€of€administrative€remedies€doctrine.€€Appellee€concedes€that,€for€purposes€ofÏsummary€judgment,€Warren€is€a€third€party€beneficiary€of€the€Agreement€and€that€the€latter€issue€isÏmoot.€€Consequently,€these€issues€will€not€be€considered€on€appeal.Ì ÎÝ ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€record€reflects€that€during€the€fall€semester€of€the€1989„90€school€year,€disciplinaryÏaction€against€Student€included€the€following:€paddling€for€using€unacceptable€language,€cafeteriaÏclean„up€for€3€days€for€hitting€female€student,€staying€late€after€school€for€3€days€for€forgingÏprincipalððs€signature€and€suspension€for€3€days€for€fighting.Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€Code€defines€a€ð ðshort„term€suspensionðð€as€ð ða€denial€to€a€student€of€the€right€to€attendÏschool€.€.€.€for€any€period€up€to€and€including€ten€(10)€school€days.ððÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'h++++'ÿÿdxd dStyl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÒ  h HD: Geneva ÒÒ  h HD: Geneva Ò("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÝ  ÝÑ\R AØ'\ÑÓ` Ü` p”XÓÑ\R AØ'\ÑÞ ÞÌà@ àò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEE,€WESTERN€SECTIONÌà@ àAT€NASHVILLEÌà@ à_______________________________________________________ÌÌó óà à)ò òÌINA€KATHERINE€WARREN€and€ó óà à)à àDavidson€County€Circuit€Court€Ìò òhusband,€KARL€STANLEYó óà à)à àNo.€90C„3564Ìò òDAVIDSONó ó,à à)Ìà à)Ì€€€€€Plaintiffs/Appellantsà à)Ìà à)ÌVS.à à)à àC.€A.€NO.€01A01„9606„CV„00277Ìà à)Ìò òMETROPOLITAN€GOVERNMENTó óà à)Ìò òOF€NASHVILLE€AND€DAVIDSONó óà à)Ìò òÙ€€ÙßR€ "A1-j|Lý#` ç `€€@ÿRßCOUNTY,€TENNESSEEó ó,à à)Ìà à)Ì€€€€€Defendant/Appelleeà à)Ìà à)ÌANDà à)Ìà à)Ìò òTHE€METROPOLITAN€NASHVILLEó óà à)Ìò òEDUCATION€ASSOCIATIONó ó,à à)Ìà à)Ì€€€€€Defendant.à à)Ìà à)ÌÌ______________________________________________________________________________ÌÌFrom€the€Circuit€Court€of€Davidson€County€at€Nashville.Ìò òHonorable€Thomas€W.€Brothers,€Judge€ó óÌÌÌÌò òDavid€Randolph€Smithó ó,€Nashville,€TennesseeÌò òJoseph€H.€Johnsonó ó,€Nashville,€TennesseeÌAttorneys€for€Plaintiffs/Appellants.ÌÌÌÌò òJames€L.€Murphy,€III,€Director€of€Lawó ó,€Nashville,€TennesseeÌò òWilliam€Michael€Safley,€Metropolitan€Attorneyó ó,€Nashville,€TennesseeÌAttorneys€for€Defendant/Appellee€Metropolitan€Government€of€Nashville€and€Davidson€County,ÏTennessee.ÌÌÌÌOPINION€FILED:ÌÌò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌÌà àFARMER,€J.ÌÌÌCRAWFORD,€P.J.,W.S.ó ó:€€(Concurs)Ìò òLILLARD,€J.ó ó:€€(Concurs)ÌÌÌÌÌÓÓÓ  ÓÓ` Ü` ˜XÓà àThis€action€stems€from€most€unfortunate€circumstances€involving€a€physical€assaultÏupon€a€teacher€by€a€fifteen€year€old€student€(hereinafter€referred€to€as€ð ðStudentðð).€€The€incidentÏoccurred€on€December€4,€1989€when€Appellant,€Ina€Katherine€Warren,€intervened€in€a€fightÏbetween€two€students,€at€West€End€Middle€School,€where€she€was€employed€as€a€guidanceÏcounselor.€€During€her€attempt€to€break€up€the€fight€Student€struck€Warren€in€the€face€causingÏpermanent€head€injury.€€Warren,€as€an€employee€of€the€Metropolitan€Public€School€System,€filedÏsuit€against€various€defendants,€including€the€appellee,€Metropolitan€Government€of€Nashville€andÏDavidson€County€(Metro),€alleging€negligence,€a€violation€of€her€civil€rights,€assault€and€batteryÏand€a€third€party€beneficiary€claim€for€breach€of€contract.× ƒ# ××  ×€€The€trial€court€dismissed€all€theories€ofÏrecovery€as€to€Metro€except€the€claim€for€breach€of€contract.€€Metro€filed€a€motion€for€summaryÏjudgment€as€to€the€remaining€theory€which€was€granted€by€the€trial€court.€€Appellants€assert€onÏappeal€that€the€trial€courtððs€summary€disposition€of€their€claim€for€breach€of€contract€was€error.€ÏUpon€review€of€the€record,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€was€correct€in€its€decision€and€affirm.ÌÌà àThe€record€establishes€that€at€the€time€of€the€assault,€Mrs.€Warren€was€46€years€oldÏand€had€been€employed€by€the€Metro€school€system€for€approximately€eighteen€years.€€StudentÍinitially€enrolled€at€West€End€in€the€1989„90€school€year.€€Previously,€he€attended€another€juniorÏhigh,€W.€A.€Bass€Middle€School.€€He€was€suspended€there,€however,€prior€to€the€completion€ofÏthe€1987„88€school€year€for€its€remainder€due€to€violation€of€school€policy.€€He€reentered€Bass€inÏthe€fall€(1988„89)€but€was€again€suspended€in€November€1988€for€ð ð[t]hrowing€a€brick€andÏbreaking€a€window€.€.€.€in€a€house€on€his€way€home€from€school€and€repeated€violations€of€schoolÏrules.ðð€€After€a€disciplinary€hearing€or€ð ðstaffing,ðð€the€school€recommended€that€Student€beÏexcluded€from€any€Metro€school€for€the€remaining€school€year,€with€the€exception€of€attending€theÏAlternative€Learning€Center,€and€that€he€be€transferred€to€another€school€upon€reentry.€€StudentÏwas€staffed€and€subsequently€assigned€by€Metropolitan€Public€Schools€to€West€End€ð ðon€strictÏprobation.ððÌÌà àAt€the€time€of€his€arrival€at€West€End,€Student€had€a€history€of€criminal€activity€andÏa€propensity€for€violence,€including€hitting€a€fellow€female€student€in€the€face,€shoplifting,Ïburglary€into€Bass€Middle€School€(for€which€a€police€report€was€filed€and€charges€brought),Ïmalicious€destruction€of€property€and€receiving€and€concealing€stolen€property.× ƒ$ ××  ×€€In€addition,€justÏweeks€before€the€attack€on€Warren,€the€principal€of€Bass€Middle€School,€James€Turbeville,Ïreported€Student€to€the€Metropolitan€Police€Department€for€criminal€trespass€at€the€school€onÏNovember€22,€1989.€€It€is€not€disputed€that€Turbeville€did€not€inform€West€Endððs€principal,€PaulÏMays,€of€the€incident.ÌÌà àAppellantsðð€complaint,€as€amended,€asserts€that€Warrenððs€injuries€were€the€result€ofÏMetroððs€breach€of€its€ð ðEducational€Agreement€1989„1990"€(Agreement)€with€the€MNEA,€of€whichÏWarren€is€a€member.€€It€is€alleged€that€the€Agreement€was€executed€for€the€express€benefit€ofÏprofessional€personnel€employed€by€Metro€and,€thus,€makes€Warren€a€third€party€beneficiary€ofÏthe€contract.€€Appellants€allege€that€Metro€specifically€breached€the€agreement€by:€failing€to€adviseÍWarren€of€the€histories€of€criminal€misconduct€or€propensities€for€violence€of€certain€students,€thusÏcreating€a€highly€dangerous€working€environment;€failing€to€provide€specific€training€to€faculty€andÏstaff€to€handle€student€fights;€and/or€failing€to€provide€trained€security€personnel€to€assist€theÏfaculty€and€staff€in€maintaining€discipline.€€The€complaint€was€further€amended€to€allege€a€breachÏby€Metro€due€to€Principal€Turbevilleððs€failure€to€warn€Principal€Mays€of€Studentððs€two€allegedÏbreak„ins€at€Bass€so€that€Student€could€have€been€disciplined€in€accordance€with€school€policy€asÏset€forth€in€the€Agreement€and€in€the€Student€Code€of€Conduct.€€Appellants€allege€that€the€latterÏwas€incorporated€by€reference€and€necessity€into€the€Agreement€and€is€ð ðan€integral€partðð€of€theÏcontract.€€It€was€also€alleged€that€Metroððs€failure€to€take€appropriate€disciplinary€action€in€responseÏto€Studentððs€criminal€activities€and€violations€of€school€policy€constituted€a€breach.× ƒ% ××  ×€€AppellantsÏassert€that€Studentððs€ð ðviolent€behaviorðð€coupled€with€the€fact€ð ðof€his€strict€probationary€status€atÏ[West€End],€required€Metro€to€suspend€this€student€and€seek€further€staffing€for€his€removal€fromÏthe€school€system.ððÌÌà àThe€trial€court€entered€a€summary€judgment€for€Metro€upon€determining€theÏfollowing:ÌÌÓÓà8 à[T]he€Court€determined€that€there€is€no€genuine€issue€of€material€factÏand€that€the€Defendant€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€ÏSpecifically,€the€Court€determined€that€the€Defendant€was€entitled€toÏdismissal€of€this€Complaint€based€upon€the€grounds€that€theÏEducation€Agreement€and€the€facts€of€this€case€do€not€support€aÏbreach€of€contract€claim;€the€Plaintiffsðð€damages€are€too€remote,Ïunforeseeable,€and€uncertain€to€reasonably€have€been€within€theÏcontemplation€of€the€parties€to€the€Agreement;€and€applicable€stateÏlaw€prevents€Plaintiffs€from€maintaining€this€action€under€a€breachÏof€contract€theory.€€The€Court€further€determined€that€dismissal€ofÏthe€breach€of€contract€claim€warrants€dismissal€of€PlaintiffÍDavidsonððs€loss€of€consortium€claim.€€ÌÌÌÌÓÓà àAppellants€raise€the€following€issues€for€review:ÌÌÓÓà8 àà à1.€€Whether€the€Educational€Agreement€in€question€createsÏcertain€duties€on€the€part€of€defendant€Metropolitan€GovernmentÏowed€to€plaintiff€Warren€to€do€one€or€more€of€the€following:Ìà8 àà8 àA.€€To€discipline€minor€defendant€[Student]€for€hisÏcriminal€misconduct€prior€to€December€4,€1989;Ìà8 àà8 àB.€€To€warn€Plaintiff€of€[Studentððs]€past€criminalÏactivity;Ìà8 àà8 àC.€€To€train€Plaintiff€to€intervene€in€student€fights;Ïand/orÌà8 àà8 àD.€€To€provide€trained€security€personnel€on€schoolÏpremises.ÌÌà8 àà à2.€€Whether€Plaintiffsðð€injuries€resulting€from€the€breach€ofÏcontract€by€defendant€Metropolitan€Government€were€foreseeableÏand€certain€so€as€to€have€been€within€the€contemplation€of€the€partiesÏto€the€contract.ÌÌà8 àà à3.€€Whether€Plaintiffsðð€cause€of€action€against€defendantÏMetropolitan€Government€for€breach€of€contract€is€proper€underÏapplicable€state€law.× ƒ& ××  ×ÌÌÌÌÓÓà àResolution€of€our€first€issue€naturally€entails€a€proper€interpretation€of€theÏAgreement.€It€is€contended€that€Metroððs€failure€to€appropriately€discipline€Student€for€his€priorÏcriminal€misconduct,€to€warn€Warren€of€his€past€criminal€activity,€to€train€Warren€in€properÏintervention€of€student€fights€and/or€to€provide€trained€security€personnel€constitutes€a€breach€ofÏthe€following€provisions€of€the€Agreement:ÌÌÓÓà8 àI.€€STUDENT€DISCIPLINEÌÌà8 àà à1.€€System„wide€discipline€regulations€shall€be€publishedÏand€made€known.€€The€Administration€shall€clearly€indicate€theÏintent€of€the€Board€to€enforce€these€regulations€and€maintain€anÍorderly€learning€environment€in€the€schools.€€Teachers€enforcingÏthese€regulations€will€have€the€support€of€the€Board€andÏAdministration.€€The€behavior€of€students€will€be€in€conformanceÏwith€system„wide€regulations.€€Failure€to€conform€shall€subject€aÏstudent€to€disciplinary€action.ÌÌà8 àà à2.€€The€Board€recognizes€that€effective€classroom€teaching€isÏdependent€upon€teacher€management€of€the€classroom€and€theÏabsence€of€disruptive€behavior€on€the€part€of€the€students.€€TheÏBoard€hereby€assures€teachers€that€it€will€give€support€andÏassistance€to€teachers€with€respect€to€the€maintenance€of€control€andÏdiscipline€in€the€school€within€the€framework€of€Board€Policy.ÌÌà8 àà à3.€€Whenever€it€appears€that€a€particular€pupil€requires€theÏattention€of€special€counselors,€social€workers,€law€enforcementÏpersonnel,€physicians,€or€other€professional€personnel,€theÏAdministration€will€take€positive€steps€to€assist€the€teacher.ÌÌà8 àà à.€.€.€.ÌÌà8 àà à5.€€Individual€records€on€student€discipline€will€be€madeÏavailable€to€teachers€concerned€as€an€aid€for€determining€disciplinaryÏrecommendations€concerning€particular€pupils.ÌÌà8 àà à6.€€The€Association€recognizes€the€teacherððs€responsibility€toÏmaintain€discipline€and€a€climate€for€good€instruction€in€theÏclassroom€through€effective€teaching€and€leadership€techniques€andÏthrough€application€of€appropriate€classroom€managementÏprocedures€in€accordance€with€the€policies€and€regulations€of€theÏBoard.€€The€Administration€recognizes€its€responsibility€to€supportÏteachers€in€all€reasonable€disciplinary€measures€in€accordance€withÏthe€policies€and€regulations€of€the€Board.ÌÌÌÌÓÓà àIn€addition,€Appellants€rely€upon€the€ð ðStudent€Conductðð€manual€which€provides,€asÏpertinent€here:ÌÌÓÓà@ àò òPART€IÌà@ àCode€of€Student€Conductó óÌà@ àA.€€IntroductionÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.ÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.€€Disciplinary€action€for€violation€of€the€rules€of€the€schoolÏcommunity€may€be€taken€by€the€school€regardless€of€whetherÏcriminal€or€civil€charges€result.ÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.ÌÌà8 àThe€initial€judgment€that€certain€conduct€violates€one€of€these€rules€isÍmade€by€the€principal.€€The€principal€is€authorized€by€statute€toÏsuspend€students€for€cause€up€to€ten€days.€.€.€.€€A€student€found€toÏbe€in€violation€of€one€of€these€rules€is€subject€to€long„termÏsuspension.ÌÌà@ àò òPART€IIÌà@ àProcedural€Due€Process€CodeÌà@ àFor€Dealing€With€Alleged€Violationsó óÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.€ÌÌà8 àAlleged€misconduct€shall€be€dealt€with€by€the€principal€or€theÏprincipalððs€designee:Ìà8 à.€.€.€.ÌÌà8 à(b)€whenever€the€alleged€misconduct€constitutes€a€violation€of€theÏrule(s);€orÌà8 à(c)€whenever€the€principal€deems€it€advisable€that€he/she€dealÏpersonally€with€the€misconduct.ÌÌà@ àò òSection€2.€€Principalððs€Investigationó óÌÌà8 àIn€dealing€with€alleged€misconduct,€the€principal€or€the€principalððsÏdesignee€shall€investigate€the€incident.€.€.€.€€The€student€shall€beÏgiven€an€opportunity€to€present€his/her€side€of€the€incident€and€givenÏan€opportunity€to€deny€or€explain€the€allegations.ÌÌà8 àIf€the€student€requests€that€other€witnesses€be€questioned,€theÏprincipal€shall€talk€to€those€witnesses,€if€possible.€€If€the€studentÏmakes€a€reasonable€explanation€of€his/her€side€of€the€incident€that,€ifÏtrue,€would€free€the€student€from€blame€but€evidence€of€the€truth€ofÏthe€explanation€is€not€immediately€available,€the€principal€shouldÏpostpone€disciplinary€action€for€a€reasonable€time€until€suchÏevidence€may€be€presented€to€him/her.ÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.ÌÌà@ àò òSection€4.€€€Limitation€on€Principalððs€PowerÌà@ àto€Suspend€or€to€Request€a€Hearingó óÌÌà8 àIf€the€principal€investigates€a€studentððs€alleged€misconduct€andÏdecides€to€take€disciplinary€action,€the€principal€must€investigate€andÏtake€action€only€upon€all€alleged€misconduct€known€to€him/her€at€theÏtime.€€Consequently,€the€most€serious€action€the€principal€can€takeÏon€his/her€own€authority€for€any€and€all€misconduct€by€a€particularÏstudent,€known€to€the€principal€at€any€one€time,€is€to€giveÏsuspension€for€ten€(10)€school€days.€.€.€.ÌÌà@ àò òSection€5.€€Summary€Suspensionó óÌÌà8 àIf€the€principal€witnesses€or€has€knowledge€of€any€serious€studentÏmisconduct€and€the€principal€thinks€that€immediate€removal€of€theÏstudent€is€necessary€to€restore€order€or€to€protect€persons€on€theÏschool€grounds,€the€principal€may€suspend€the€student€immediatelyÍfor€not€more€than€two€(2)€school€days.ÌÌà8 àIn€such€cases,€the€principal€is€not€required€to€conduct€theÏinvestigation€described€in€Section€2€before€he/she€suspends;€theÏprincipal€shall€carry€out€such€an€investigation€and€decide€on€furtherÏdisciplinary€action,€if€any,€at€least€by€the€end€of€the€school€dayÏfollowing€the€summary€suspension.€€If€the€principal€thinks€anÏadditional€suspension€is€necessary,€the€total€suspended€time€shallÏnot€exceed€ten€(10)€school€days.ÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.€ÌÌà@ àò òC.€SECTIONS€APPLICABLE€TO€LONG„TERMÌà@ àSUSPENSION€AND€EXPULSIONó óÌÌà8 à.€.€.€.ÌÌà8 àIf,€after€the€principalððs€investigation,€the€principal€decides€that€aÏpenalty€more€severe€than€any€within€his/her€own€authority€isÏwarranted,€the€principal€shall€refer€the€matter€to€the€Coordinator€ofÏStudent€Disciplinary€Referrals.€€ÌÌÌÌÓÓà àWe€begin€our€analysis€with€the€basic€principles€of€contract€construction€whichÏcontrol€our€decision.€€Courts€are€to€interpret€and€enforce€the€contract€as€written,€according€to€itsÏplain€terms.€€ò òòòPetty€v.€Sloanóóó ó,€277€S.W.2d€355,€358€(Tenn.€1955);€òòò òHome€Beneficial€AssððnÏv.€Whiteóóó ó,€177€S.W.2d€545,€546€(Tenn.€1944).€€We€are€precluded€from€making€new€contracts€forÏthe€parties€by€adding€or€deleting€provisions.€€òòò òCentral€Adjustment€Bureau,€Inc.€v.€Ingramóóó ó,Ï678€S.W.2d€28,€37€(Tenn.€1984);€òòò òShell€Oil€Co.€v.€Prescottóóó ó,€398€F.2d€592€(6th€Cir.€1968).€ÏWhen€clear€contract€language€reveals€the€intent€of€the€parties,€there€is€no€need€to€apply€rules€ofÏconstruction.€€An€ambiguity€does€not€arise€in€a€contract€merely€because€the€parties€may€differ€as€toÏinterpretation€of€certain€of€its€provisions.€€òòò òOman€Constr.€Co.€v.€Tennessee€Valley€Auth.óóó ó,Ï486€F.Supp.€375€(M.D.€Tenn.€1979).€€A€contract€is€ambiguous€only€when€it€is€of€uncertainÏmeaning€and€may€fairly€be€understood€in€more€ways€than€one;€a€strained€construction€may€not€beÏplaced€on€the€language€used€to€find€an€ambiguity€where€none€exists.€€òòò òEmpress€Health€andÏBeauty€Spa,€Inc.€v.€Turneróóó ó,€503€S.W.2d€188,€190„91€(Tenn.€1973).€€We€are€to€consider€theÏagreement€as€a€whole€in€determining€whether€the€meaning€of€the€contract€is€clear€or€ambiguous.€Ïòòò òGredig€v.€Tennessee€Farmers€Mut.€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€891€S.W.2d€909,€912€(Tenn.€App.€1994).€ÍIf€a€contract€is€plain€and€unambiguous,€the€meaning€thereof€is€a€question€of€law€for€the€court.€Ïòòò òPetty€v.€Sloanóóó ó,€277€S.W.2d€at€358.ÌÌà àAppellants€argue€that€under€the€provisions€of€the€Agreement€as€set€forth€above,ÏMetro€was€obligated€to€appropriately€discipline€Student€for€his€criminal€misconduct€occurring€priorÏto€the€incident€in€question€and€that€its€failure€to€do€so€directly€resulted€in€Warrenððs€injuries.€ÏAppellants€specifically€contend,€in€their€brief,€that€ð ð[g]iven€the€nature€of€the€violation€[criminalÏtrespass€on€November€22],€Mr.€Mays€had€an€obligation€to€impose€a€ten„day€suspension€onÏ[Student].€€Had€Mr.€Mays€not€breached€his€contractual€duty,€[Student]€would€not€have€even€beenÏin€school€on€December€4,€1989€.€.€.€.ðð€€In€turn,€Appellants€argue€that€Turbeville€had€aÏcorresponding€duty€to€inform€Mays€of€Studentððs€misconduct€so€as€to€ensure€that€Student€would€beÏdisciplined€appropriately.ÌÌà àThe€Agreement€provides€that€ð ð[s]ystem„wide€discipline€regulations€shall€beÏpublished€and€made€knownðð€and€that€failure€of€a€student€to€conform€thereto€ð ðshall€subject€a€studentÏto€disciplinary€action.ðð€€Under€the€express€language€of€the€Code€of€Student€Conduct€(Code),€it€is€aÏviolation€of€school€rule€to€ð ðcause€or€attempt€to€cause€damage€to€school€property€or€steal€or€attemptÏto€steal€school€property.ðð€€Clearly,€the€alleged€misconduct€by€Student€on€November€22€is€inÏviolation€of€school€rule.€€Under€the€plain€language€of€the€Code,€the€ð ðprincipal€or€principalððsÏdesigneeðð€is€required€to€deal€with€any€ð ðalleged€misconductðð€constituting€a€violation€of€school€rules.€ÏTo€this€end,€the€principal€must€conduct€an€ð ðinvestigation.ðð€€No€specific€time€limit€is€imposedÏregarding€the€completion€of€such€investigation.€€The€Code€does€provide€that€if€certain€evidenceÏexonerating€the€student€is€not€immediately€available,€the€principal€should€delay€disciplinary€actionÏfor€a€ð ðreasonable€time.ðð€€The€Code€also€makes€clear€that€for€any€short„term€suspension€(not€longerÏthan€10€school€days),€it€is€the€principalððs€decision€as€to€whether€disciplinary€action€is€to€be€takenÏafter€an€investigation.€€If,€after€an€investigation,€the€principal€determines€that€long„term€suspensionÏis€appropriate,€the€matter€is€to€be€handled€by€the€Coordinator€of€Student€Disciplinary€Referrals€afterÍnotice€and€a€hearing.€€The€notice€to€the€student€and€his/her€parent(s)€is€to€be€given€within€5€schoolÏdays€after€the€principal€learns€of€the€alleged€misconduct.€€If€a€hearing€is€not€waived€it€ð ðshouldðð€beÏscheduled€within€6€school€days€ð ðafter€the€request€of€the€parents€has€been€received€for€a€hearing€.€.€.Ï.ðð€€If€a€hearing€is€waived,€the€Coordinator€shall€take€steps€to€determine€whether€the€student€hasÏviolated€a€rule€of€serious€misconduct€and€determine€the€penalty€to€be€imposed€within€6€school€daysÏð ðof€the€date€that€the€principal€referred€the€case€to€him/her.ðð€€The€Code€further€provides€that€theÏprincipal€ð ðmayðð€summarily€suspend€a€student€for€not€longer€than€2€school€days,€if€the€principalÏð ðthinks€that€immediate€removal€.€.€.€is€necessary.ðð€€An€investigation€must€then€occur€to€determineÏwhether€further€disciplinary€action€is€needed€ð ðby€the€end€of€the€school€day€following€the€summaryÏsuspension.ðð€€The€€Code€provides€that€ð ð[i]f€the€principal€thinks€an€additional€suspension€isÏnecessary,€the€total€suspended€time€shall€not€exceed€ten€.€.€.€€school€days.ðð€€ÌÌà àIt€is€evident€under€the€Code€that€whether€disciplinary€measures€are€to€be€taken€andÏto€what€extent€is€a€decision€that€lies€initially€with€the€principal€who,€in€most€instances,€is€requiredÏto€first€conduct€an€investigation€prior€to€implementing€any€disciplinary€action.€€The€school€rules,Ïwith€the€exception€of€those€pertaining€to€the€use€of€tobacco,€alcohol€or€drugs,€do€not€specify€theÏpunishment€to€be€imposed€for€a€violation€thereof.× ƒ' ××  ×€€The€Code€provides€for€summary€suspensionÏand€short€and€long„term€suspension.€€The€Code€unmistakably€leaves€such€at€first€instance€to€theÏdiscretion€and€judgment€of€the€principal.€€Moreover,€the€language€of€the€Code,€with€the€exceptionÏof€that€pertaining€to€the€conducting€of€an€investigation,€is€permissive€in€nature€and€not€mandatory.€ÏThe€Code€also€establishes€built„in€time€delays€in€the€disciplinary€process.€€We€therefore€concludeÏthat€the€Agreement€does€not€impose€a€duty€upon€Mays€to€discipline€Student€for€the€allegedÏmisconduct€in€a€specific€manner€which€would€have€guaranteed€Studentððs€absence€from€the€schoolÏon€December€4.€€Contrary€to€Appellantsðð€assertion,€the€Code€does€not€provide€for€an€automaticÍsuspension€of€10€school€days€for€the€type€violation€with€which€Student€was€charged€(criminalÏtrespass).× ƒ( ××  ×€€Granted,€the€maximum€suspension€seems€befitting€under€the€circumstances€(assumingÏStudentððs€guilt),€but€the€Code€is€clear€that€it€is€not€mandatory.€€ÌÌà àSignificant€here,€too,€is€€the€undisputed€fact€that€Mays€was€not€informed€ofÏStudentððs€alleged€misconduct€and€was,€thus,€prevented€from€contemplating€any€disciplinary€action.€ÏWe,€however,€do€not€find€the€Agreement€to€impose€a€duty€upon€Turbeville€to€relate€suchÏinformation.ÌTo€support€their€argument,€Appellants€have€relied€upon€the€general€language€in€the€AgreementÏregarding€the€school€boardððs€assurance€to€teachers€that€it€will€provide€ð ðsupport€and€assistanceðð€toÏteachers€regarding€student€discipline.€€However,€as€will€be€discussed€in€more€detail€hereinafter,€weÏfind€that€it€would€be€a€strained€interpretation€of€the€contract€to€impose€a€duty€upon€TurbevilleÏ(Metro)€to€inform€Mays€of€Studentððs€alleged€misdeed€given€the€language€utilized.ÌÌà àIt€is€also€argued€that€the€Agreement€imposed€a€duty€upon€Metro€to€warn€Mrs.ÏWarren€of€Studentððs€past€criminal€activity,€to€train€her€to€intervene€in€student€fights€and/or€provideÏtrained€security€personnel.€€As€to€the€latter,€we€find€no€language€in€the€Agreement€to€remotelyÏsuggest€that€Metro€was€under€a€duty€to€afford€faculty€and€staff€with€trained€security€personnel€atÏthe€school.€€As€to€the€personal€training€of€Mrs.€Warren,€we€find€the€Agreement€to€state:ÌÌÓÓà8 àà àTeachers€are€expected€to€exert€their€best€efforts€andÏprofessional€judgment€to€maintain€discipline€in€the€school.€€If€fightsÏinvolving€students€do€occur€on€school€property,€a€teacher€isÏexpected€to€do€what€any€reasonable€person€would€do€under€theÏcircumstances.€€If€circumstances€warrant€and€permit,€a€teacher€mayÏuse€physical€restraint€to€stop€the€fight.ÌÌà8 àà àIf€the€teacher€is€unable€to€stop€the€fight,€assistance€should€beÏrequested.€.€.€.ÌÌÌÌÓÓWe€do€not€find€the€Agreement€to€obligate€Metro€to€provide€personal€training€to€Mrs.€Warren€onÏstudent€fight€intervention.€€The€fact€that€the€school€board€and€administration€are€obligated€toÏprovide€ð ðsupportðð€to€teachers€in€maintaining€discipline€cannot€be€interpreted€to€include€personalÏtraining€absent€a€strained€construction€of€the€contract€and€a€rewriting€by€this€Court.ÌÌà àWith€respect€to€Metroððs€alleged€duty€to€warn€Mrs.€Warren€of€Studentððs€pastÏcriminal€conduct,€Appellants€rely€particularly€on€paragraph€5€of€the€student€discipline€sectionÏproviding€that€ð ðindividual€records€on€student€discipline€will€be€made€available€to€teachersÏconcerned€as€an€aid€to€determining€disciplinary€recommendations€concerning€particular€pupils.ðð€€ItÏis€argued€that€ð ð[t]his€provision,€in€conjunction€with€subsection€I(2)€and€the€general€intent€of€theÏparties€to€jointly€create€a€safe€and€orderly€learning€environment,€creates€a€duty€on€the€part€of€[the]ÏBoard€and/or€Administration€to€provide€teachers€and€faculty€with€information€about€a€studentððsÏbackground€.€.€.€sufficient€to€let€them€make€[an]€informed€judgment€on€how€to€interact€with€thatÏstudent€.€.€.€.ðð€€ÌÌà àParagraph€I(7)€states€that€the€ð ðgeneral€purpose€of€this€provision€shall€be€to€provideÏconcise€information€for€both€teacher€and€principal€to€assist€them€in€cooperatively€maintaining€theÏbest€possible€learning€environment.ðð€€As€we€interpret€the€clear€language€of€Paragraph€(5),€theÏð ðconcise€informationðð€to€be€conveyed€pertains€to€individual€student€discipline€records€to€thoseÏteachers€ð ðconcernedðð€with€determining€disciplinary€recommendations€for€particular€students.€ÏParagraph€(5)€cannot€be€interpreted€to€mean€or€imply€that€individual€student€discipline€records€areÏmade€available€to€all€teachers€as€a€matter€of€routine,€but€to€only€those€ð ðconcernedðð€teachers€inÏaiding€a€determination€of€disciplinary€recommendations€for€specific€pupils.ÌÌà àWe€find€that€the€ð ðStudent€Disciplineðð€section€of€the€Agreement,€when€read€as€aÏwhole,€is€written€from€the€standpoint€of€the€teacher€and€his/her€role€in€ð ðenforcing€these€[system„wide€discipline]€regulations.ðð€€The€Agreement€provides€that€the€school€board€and€administrationÏwill€support€the€teacher€in€his/her€enforcement€of€the€regulations€(Paragraph€1)€and€in€the€teacherððsÏð ðmanagement€of€the€classroomðð€to€promote€ð ðeffective€classroom€teachingðð€(Paragraph€2).€€UnderÏparagraph€6,€the€Administration€has€the€ð ðresponsibility€to€support€teachers€in€all€reasonableÏdisciplinary€measuresðð€taken€by€the€teacher€to€fulfill€his/her€ð ðresponsibility€to€maintain€disciplineÏand€a€climate€for€good€instruction.ðð€€Teachers€ð ðconcernedðð€with€ð ðdetermining€disciplinaryÏrecommendationsðð€for€ð ðparticular€pupilsðð€will€be€given€access€to€those€studentsðð€individual€recordsÏon€discipline.€€Finally,€under€paragraph€3,€the€Administration€is€obligated€to€ð ðtake€positive€steps€toÏassist€the€teacherðð€in€ascertaining€the€appropriate€personnel€for€those€students€in€need€of€specializedÏattention.€€To€interpret€this€paragraph€otherwise€would€render€the€words€ð ðwill€take€positive€stepsððÏoverly€vague€and€meaningless.ÌÌà àWe€conclude€that€no€fair€interpretation€of€the€Agreement€can€be€said€to€legallyÏimpose€upon€Metro€the€contractual€duties€as€alleged€by€Appellants.€€Certainly,€the€provision€ofÏtrained€security€personnel€on€school€grounds,€individual€training€of€faculty€and€staff€regardingÏstudent€fight€intervention€and€routine€notice€to€teachers€of€children€with€propensities€for€violenceÏand/or€a€criminal€history€is€commendable€conduct€which€would€undoubtedly€benefit€the€publicÏeducation€system€and€go€further€in€promoting€a€safe€and€orderly€learning€environment.€€We,Ïhowever,€do€not€find€the€Agreement€before€us€to€legally€require€such€obligations€of€Metro.€€AÏsummary€judgment€is€an€appropriate€means€of€disposing€of€claims€capable€of€resolution€on€legalÏissues€alone.€€òòò òMcReynolds€v.€Cherokee€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€896€S.W.2d€137€(Tenn.€App.€1994);Ïòòò òNichols€v.€Atnipóóó ó,€844€S.W.2d€655,€658€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€As€we€have€determined€as€aÏmatter€of€law€that€the€Agreement€does€not€impose€upon€Metro€the€contractual€duties€as€alleged€byÏAppellants,€we€conclude€that€a€summary€judgment€was€properly€granted€in€Metroððs€favor.€In€viewÏof€our€decision,€we€pretermit€the€remaining€issues.ÌÌà àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€and€this€cause€remanded€for€any€furtherÍproceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€are€taxed€to€the€appellants,€for€which€executionÏmay€issue€if€necessary.ÌÌÓÓÓ` Ü` È“XÓà à_______________________________Ìà àFARMER,€J.ÌÌÌ______________________________ÌCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.€(Concurs)ÌÌÌ______________________________ÌLILLARD,€J.€(Concurs)