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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
University School of Nashville (USN) appears to be imploding as trust in its leadership seems to have sunk to a new low as an ever-growing number of parents, students, and faculty continue to question the competency of those in command amid their mishandling of a sexual misconduct case brought by former student Gidgie Bass.
A new Instagram page with the handle @protectusn has been launched and to date features three posts, two of which are by Gidgie expressing her gratitude for the support she has received from the community and specifically naming director Amani Reed, assistant head of school Quinton Walker, and board of trustees president Eric Kopstain as, “particular individuals who consistently made the situation the epic fail it has become.”
She purports that these leaders “constantly lied, gaslit, and used poor judgement,” referring to the school’s initial response defending the teacher’s actions, accusing Bass of inventing the claim for financial gain, and cutting communications through the “investigative” process.
Bass calls for the administrators to immediately resign or be removed, as they have, “proven their incapability,” to protect their students, families, and faculty. The third post speaks of USN’s board of directors’ refusal to meet with Gidgie and their lack of apology to the community for the poor handling of the situation.
Additionally, upwards of 250 students, alums, and parents signed a letter agreeing to withhold donations to the school until Bass’ demands are met, and students led protests outside school administrators’ offices last week. Parents are also circulating an additional letter stating their lack of confidence in Reed and Walker to lead the school and calling for their immediate suspension.
Director Reed held a faculty meeting last Tuesday were he fielded questions from many of the frustrated teachers who had expressed their displeasure with the handling of the situation. Reed supposedly refused to address Dean Masullo’s behavior as “sexual misconduct” and defended his own handling of the matter.
Walker had announced plans to leave USN at the end of this school year last May, but neither Reed nor Kopstain, who is also a vice chancellor at Vanderbilt, have responded to calls for their resignation.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
