Teacher resigns after investigation determines she taped student to chair multiple times

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - An elementary school teacher has resigned following allegations that she taped a student to a chair on multiple occasions.

According to Metro Nashville Public Schools, first-grade teacher Donielle Rhone was placed on istrative leave in April over allegations that she taped a first-grade student to a chair at Mt. View Elementary School.

School officials confirmed this week that Rhone has since resigned.

MNPS said its investigation not only produced evidence that proved that a student was taped to their chair by Rhone, but the team also found “additional concerns” regarding how the teacher handled her students and the classroom.

“On multiple occasions, Ms. Rhone taped a student to a chair/desk, as well as had students engaged in discipline practices such as taping of mouths, running laps at recess, and standing facing the wall,” MNPS said in its report.

Metro Nashville Public Schools investigation timeline:

April 24

• A teacher provided a statement to the assistant principals of Mt. View Elementary School stating that they had seen Rhone tape a student to a chair.
• An assistant principal told the student’s parent about the alleged incident, and Ms. Rhone was placed on istrative leave pending an investigation.

April 25

• Mt. View Elementary School leaders informed Ms. Rhone of the allegations and told her that her istrative leave would begin.
• Ms. Rhone provided a written statement detailing what happened on April 24
• Ms. Rhone stated that the student was kneeling backward in his chair in an unsafe manner while reaching toward a table.
• Rhone said she implemented “multiple Tier 1 and Tier 2 behavioral interventions for the student, following recommendations by the school behavior specialist.”
• Rhone said she gave multiple verbal warnings for the student to sit safely and the student did not adjust his seating so she said she removed a “single piece of clear Scotch tape from her desk and lightly placed it across the student’s pant legs—without making with the student’s skin—to serve as a visual and tactile cue to encourage proper seated posture.“

April 25

• MNPS conducted interviews with students.
• 18 students said Ms. Rhone had taped a student to the desk across the top of the legs and under the desk on April 24.
• Five students said this has happened more than once to that student. Five students also said Ms. Rhone had taped that student’s mouth.
• Six students said Ms. Rhone has put tape on the mouths of other students. Two students said that others were required to run laps at recess.

April 30

• School leaders called Ms. Rhone to get her response to the additional allegations about taping the mouths of students and requiring them to run laps during recess.
• MNPS said Ms. Rhone stated that none of her students have ever been taped to their desks. When asked if any student had ever had their mouths taped, she reportedly told school leaders that “she had handed students tape, and they placed it on their mouths.” When asked if they were told to put the tape on their mouths, she said, “No.”
• When asked why the students were given tape, MNPS said Ms. Rhone asked if her answers would be used against her.
• The principal explained that they were just asking questions to allow her to respond to the allegations. Ms. Rhone said she would like to have third-party representation at the meeting, and then the call ended.
• A meeting was rescheduled.

May 6

• Ms. Rhone responded to follow-up questions from the Assistant Principal that were provided on May 5.
• Ms. Rhone responded to the allegations, stating that she has never taped a student to a chair or desk.
• Rhone said she has had students stand to help them “dysregulate,” and at recess, she said she gave students a choice to run, walk, or play, but never required students to run laps.

School officials said based on findings during their investigation, it was “substantiated” that Rhone taped a student to a chair on April 24 and that it had happened on previous dates, witnessed by multiple students.

“Furthermore, student interviews allege that this has occurred to [unnamed student] multiple times, as stated by multiple students and other students in the past, as well as other practices including tape on mouths, running laps, standing in the corner, and having legs taped to the desk,” Nia Perry, Mt. View Elementary School executive principal, said.

MNPS said Rhone’s actions were a violation of MNPS Board policies. Rhone was recommended for termination, but chose to resign before the termination process was completed.

Rhone will not be allowed to work for MNPS again, school officials said.

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