Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
Descriptor Term:
5.600
03/03/25
Staff Rights & Responsibilities
Rescinds:
Issued:
5.600
08/07/23
1
In fulfilling any citizenship rights and responsibilities, employees shall give proper consideration to the
2
educational welfare of students and ensure that no conflict exists with their actual duties.
3
Each staff member has the right to:
4
1. A work environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination/harassment;
1
5
2. Academic freedom within the confines of state law and board policy in order to create an
6
atmosphere of freedom in the classroom;
7
Educators have the right to:²
8
1. Be treated with civility and respect as well as having his/her professional judgement and
9
discretion respected;
10
11
2. Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of a student to the principal and/or
12
appropriate agencies;
13
14
3. Provide students with a safe environment;
15
16
4. Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or harm;³
17
18
5. Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the
19
student's parent(s)/guardian(s) unless otherwise prohibited;4
20
21
6. Review all instructional material or curriculum before being utilized by students; and
22
23
7. Not be required to use his/her personal money to appropriately equip a classroom.
24
Each staff member has the responsibility to:
25
1. Make themselves familiar with and abide by, the laws of the state as these affect their work, the
26
policies of the board and the procedures designed to implement them;
27
2. To adhere to the Teacher Code of Ethics;
28
3. Exercise good judgment in selecting issues for discussion and balance the relative maturity of
29
students and the students' right to know;
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Staff Rights & Responsibilities
5.600
1
4. Be courteous and helpful in interacting and responding to parents, visitors and members of the
2
public;
3
5. Keep all records and prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be required by state law,
4
state board regulations, board policy and administrative procedures; and
5
6. Wear appropriate dress for work according to board guidelines and local school rules.
6
7
7. Report students who commit offenses of assault and battery or vandalism on school property
8
endangering the life, health, or safety of others pursuant to state law;⁵ and
9
10
8. Receive benefits in accordance with state law if the educator is a teacher who is on leave due to
11
a physical assault or other violent criminal act committed during the course of employment.⁶
12
13
9. Refrain from any sexually related behavior with students, including students who have graduated
14
or withdrawn in the immediately preceding twelve (12) months;⁸
15
Legal References
Cross References
1. 42 USCA § 2000e-2(a), (b); TCA 49-6-8004
Curriculum Development 4.200
2.
TCA 49-5-209
Controversial Issues 4.800
3. TCA 49-6-2802
Religious Content of Courses 4.804
4. 20 USCA § 1232g
Staff-Student Relations 5.610
5. TCA 49-6-4301
Ethics 5.611
6.
TCA 49-5-714
7.
TCA 49-5-1001
8.
Public Acts of 2026. Chapter No. 898
Page 2 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Staff Rights & Responsibilities | Descriptor Code: 5.600 | Issued Date: 03/03/25 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 5.600 | Issued: 08/07/23 |

## Table 2

| Legal | References | Cross References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | 42 USCA § 2000e-2(a), (b); TCA 49-6-8004 | Curriculum Development 4.200 |
| 2. | TCA 49-5-209 | Controversial Issues 4.800 |
| 3. | TCA 49-6-2802 | Religious Content of Courses 4.804 |
| 4. | 20 USCA § 1232g | Staff-Student Relations 5.610 |
| 5. | TCA 49-6-4301 | Ethics 5.611 |
| 6. | TCA 49-5-714 |  |
| 7. | TCA 49-5-1001 |  |
| 8. | Public Acts of 2026. Chapter No. 898 |  |