Nashville Schools Face Audit Calls Amid Praise
Metro Nashville Public Schools faces a city audit and state audit requests while reporting record graduation rates.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle responded to calls for audits of the district, which is the second-largest in Tennessee. The Metro Nashville Council commissioned an audit of the district's performance and operations, while Rep. Scott Cepicky asked House Speaker Cameron Sexton for a state audit.
Why it matters
Critics argue the district is negatively affecting the state's overall academic achievement, while the district points to four consecutive years of top state growth ratings and record graduation rates. The outcome of the audits could shape how Nashville families and taxpayers evaluate the district's performance and operations.
The audit is being conducted by the office of Metropolitan Auditor Lauren Riley, which hired Nashville-based firm Frazier & Deeter, and is estimated to take 10-12 months. Whether state lawmakers will approve a separate state forensic audit has not been determined.
The players
Adrienne Battle
Adrienne Battle is the director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, who has led the district through recent academic gains.
Scott Cepicky
Scott Cepicky is a Tennessee state representative from Culleoka who has criticized the district and requested a state audit.
Cameron Sexton
Cameron Sexton is the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, to whom the state audit request was directed.
Lauren Riley
Lauren Riley is Metropolitan Auditor for the city of Nashville, whose office is conducting the city audit of the district.
The details
Cepicky criticized Battle in a conservative talk radio interview last month and asked Speaker Sexton for a state audit; a spokesperson said all options are being explored. Battle addressed the district's achievements in a November keynote at a Rotary Club of Nashville meeting, and the final city audit report will be posted publicly on the auditor's website.
Timeline
Last month (October 2026): Cepicky criticized Battle in a radio interview.
November 2026: Battle delivered a keynote address at the Rotary Club of Nashville.
Mid-January 2027: The Tennessee General Assembly is set to reconvene.
Approximately 10-12 months: Estimated duration of the city audit.
Secondary Education Oversight
Requests for state forensic audits of Tennessee school districts must pass through the General Assembly, which reconvenes in mid-January. The city audit of Metro Nashville Public Schools adds a local oversight layer alongside this state-level process.
Families in Nashville will see how the audits shape district decisions that affect their students' schooling. Parents and taxpayers can follow the city audit report, which will be publicly posted to the auditor's office website when complete.
The takeaway
Parents and taxpayers in Nashville can track the city audit's public report once it is posted, which will help them weigh the district's record graduation rates against the criticism raised by state lawmakers.
What happens next
The Tennessee General Assembly is set to reconvene in mid-January 2027, when lawmakers could consider a state forensic audit request.
Further reading
For more on district performance, see Secondary Education coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessean.
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