One former judge and a soon-to-be-retired judge have agreed to serve on a new board of hearing officers for the Hamilton County Schools.
The hearing officers will include former City Judge Walter Williams as well as Chancellor Howell Peoples, who is retiring at the end of this month.
Other hearing officers will be Chris Markel and Samuel L. Jackson.
County School Board Attorney Scott Bennett wrote in a memo to County School Board members:
"As you are aware, there have been recent changes in Tennessee law governing how a school system can dismiss employees during the course of their contract term. These changes require local boards of education to appoint hearing officers to hear the Administration’s charges of dismissal and to render decisions on these charges.
"In light of these changes in state law, I am recommending that the board appoint the following panel of officers to hear dismissal charges against school system employees":
· The Honorable Howell N. Peoples, who is retiring from having served as a Chancellor in Hamilton County effective March 31, 2010;
· The Honorable Walter Williams, a former Chattanooga City Judge;
· Chris Markel, Esquire; and
· Samuel L. Jackson, Esquire.
Attorney Bennett said, "I have spoken with each of these gentlemen and each has agreed to serve if appointed by the board and selected by Dr. Scales."