Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
5.106
11/05/24
Application and Employment
Rescinds:
Issued:
5.106
08/07/23
1
APPLICATION
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An individual desiring a position shall make application to the Director of Schools on forms developed
3
by his/her office. To ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff, the district shall require
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criminal history background checks and fingerprinting of applicants for teaching positions and any
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other positions that require proximity to children. 1 If applying for a teaching position, the Director of
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Schools shall also check the applicant's license status in the State Board of Education's database to
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determine if there is a hold on that applicant's license, and if so, the reasoning behind the hold.²
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Knowingly falsifying information shall be sufficient grounds for termination of employment and shall
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also constitute a Class A misdemeanor which shall be reported to the District Attorney General for
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prosecution.³
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Any costs incurred to perform these background checks and fingerprinting shall be paid by the
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applicant. The Board shall reimburse the applicant if a position is offered and accepted.⁴
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Professional Employees
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The application shall include a transcript of credits earned at the colleges or universities attended along
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with references from persons such as previous employers, college professors, and supervisors of
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student teachers. Other information shall include whether such applicant has been dismissed for cause
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from a school district. 5 If previously employed by a local board of education, the applicant shall
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provide evidence of acceptable resignation.
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No person shall be employed:
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1. Who does not hold a valid license to teach or a temporary permit to teach from the State Board
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of Education; 6
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2. Who has been identified by the Department of Children's Services as a perpetrator of child
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abuse, severe child abuse, child sexual abuse, or child neglect or who poses an immediate threat
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to the health, safety, or welfare of children;
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3. Who is listed on the state's abuse of vulnerable persons registry maintained by the Department
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of Health, or on a similar registry in another jurisdiction;⁷
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4. Who does not present a physician's certificate showing a satisfactory health record or has any
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contagious or communicable disease in such form that might endanger the health of school
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children;⁸
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5. Who refuses to take and subscribe to an oath to support the Constitution of the State of
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Tennessee and of the United States of America;
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Application and Employment
5.106
1
6. Who fails to make a full disclosure of any prior criminal record and any prior dismissals from
2
employment for cause; or
3
7. Who does not receive a satisfactory background check. 10
4
8. Who has not had their information verified using E-Verify¹⁰
5
Support Employees
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No person shall be employed:
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1. Who has any contagious or communicable disease in such form that might endanger the health
8
of school children;⁸
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2. Who has been identified by the Department of Children's Services as a perpetrator of child
10
abuse, severe child abuse, child sexual abuse, or child neglect or who poses an immediate threat
11
to the health, safety, or welfare of children;⁷
12
3. Who is listed on the state's abuse of vulnerable persons registry maintained by the Department
13
of Health;
14
4. Who has not complied with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; 11
15
5. Who fails to make a full disclosure of any prior criminal record and any prior dismissals from
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employment for cause; or
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6. Who does not receive a satisfactory background check. 10
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7. Who has not had their information verified using E-Verify¹⁰
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EMPLOYMENT
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After checking references and receiving written recommendations, the Director of Schools shall hire
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and assign qualified applicants.
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Initial Employment for Professional Employees
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The Director of Schools shall notify such person, in writing, of the offer and conditions of
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employment. Upon receipt of employment notification, such person shall respond within the timeline
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established by state law. 12 From the date of the written acceptance, such person is considered to be
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under employment with the district and is subject to all rights, privileges, and duties.
Legal References
Cross References
1. TCA 49-5-406; TCA 49-5-413
Orientation and Probation 5.107
2.
State Board of Education Policy 5.501
Compensation Guides & Contracts 5.110
3.
TCA 49-5-406(a)(2)(A)
Background Investigations 5.118
4. TCA 49-5-413(c)
Recommendations and File Transfers 5.203
5.
TCA 49-2-131
Interim Employees 5.700
6. TCA 49-5-403; TCA 49-5-101; TCA 49-5-106
Qualifications and Duties of the Director of Schools 5.802
7. TCA 49-5-413(e)
8.
TCA 49-5-404
9.
TCA 49-5-405
10. TCA 49-5-413(a), (f); Public Acts of 2026, Chapter
No. 772
Page 2 of 3
Application and Employment
5.106
11. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Pub.
L. No. 99-603. 100 Stat. 3359. 8 USCA § 1101 et
seq.
12. TCA 49-5-406(b)
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Application and Employment | Descriptor Code: 5.106 | Issued Date: 11/05/24 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 5.106 | Issued: 08/07/23 |

## Table 2

|  | Legal References | Cross References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | TCA 49-5-406; TCA 49-5-413 | Orientation and Probation 5.107 |
| 2. | State Board of Education Policy 5.501 | Compensation Guides & Contracts 5.110 |
| 3. | TCA 49-5-406(a)(2)(A) | Background Investigations 5.118 |
| 4. | TCA 49-5-413(c) | Recommendations and File Transfers 5.203 |
| 5. | TCA 49-2-131 | Interim Employees 5.700 |
| 6. | TCA 49-5-403; TCA 49-5-101; TCA 49-5-106 | Qualifications and Duties of the Director of Schools 5.802 |
| 7. | TCA 49-5-413(e) |  |
| 8. | TCA 49-5-404 |  |
| 9. | TCA 49-5-405 |  |
| 10. | TCA 49-5-413(a), (f); Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 772 |  |