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Reprimand in personnel file for L&N STEM Academy principal

A letter in principal Becky Ashe's personnel file from then Interim Superintendent of Knox County Schools Buzz Thomas called Ashe's actions "both serious and inappropriate for a principal."

L&N STEM Academy principal Becky Ashe received a written reprimand for "failure to perform the functions" of principal related to state and local school financial policies in 2016, documents in her personnel file show.

Ashe was placed on administrative leave with pay on Monday pending an investigation, according to an email from Knox County Schools. A school district spokesperson said they could not comment about the nature of the investigation.

Assistant principal at L&N STEM Academy Tim Childers has also been placed on administrative leave.

A letter in Ashe's personnel file from then Interim Superintendent of Knox County Schools Buzz Thomas called Ashe's actions "both serious and inappropriate for a principal."

The letter dated Oct. 4, 2016, says Ashe met with Buzz Thomas, Chief of Staff Clifford Davis and KCS Executive Director of Finance Gary Spencer in September 2016 "to discuss the findings of the financial review of the records and transactions of the Knox County Schools and the L&N STEM Academy related to the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program grant."

Thomas wrote that he found Ashe's actions in "direct violation" of Knox County Schools Board of Education Policy and the Tennessee Internal School Uniform Accounting Policy Manual guidelines.

The letter warned that failure to correct her behavior could result in further disciplinary action.

Also among Ashe's personnel file were two letters thanking her for her expertise at the district's first two Curriculum and Instruction Leadership Team's Summer Principals' Institutes held in July 2014 and 2015.

After the first year, Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Alves wrote Ashe a letter to personally thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to prepare a presentation.

"Without exception, the feedback from administrators has been extremely positive and complimentary," she wrote.

Alves went on to specifically highlight the most powerful aspects of the institute and ended the letter by thanking Ashe again.

"Thanks again for your participation in making this event a huge success! I am already looking forward to next year!"

In the letter sent to Ashe the following year, she was also thanked for sharing her expertise.

The second letter, which is dated July 24, 2015, says the "opportunity to learn from one another is the highlight of this professional learning day and exemplifies our district's goal of becoming a community of leaders and learners." It thanks Ashe again and says they hope she "will be willing to share again if called upon!"

The 2015 letter was signed by Alves, Curriculum and Instruction and Professional Development Executive Director Millicent Smith, and Elementary Education Executive Director Julie Thompson.

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