The United States has reached an agreement with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and Ross Early Learning Center (Ross ELC) to resolve allegations that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case involves a three-year-old student with Type 1 Diabetes who attended Ross ELC during the 2023-2024 school year and remained enrolled in MNPS for the following year.
According to the complaint, the child’s parents requested that school staff monitor their child’s continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a device prescribed by a physician and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use without additional blood testing. The CGM transmits alerts about blood sugar levels to wireless devices such as smartphones or tablets. The parents alleged that Ross ELC only partially accommodated this request, requiring them or their child to be responsible for monitoring after the school nurse left for the day. At one point, the school allowed but later prohibited use of a device provided by the parents for monitoring, limiting communication about CGM readings to phone calls or password-protected emails.
This policy led the parents to remove their child from Ross ELC for about one month before returning on a reduced schedule due to concerns about care when no nurse was present. During this time, there were incidents where dangerously high or low blood sugar required immediate parental intervention.
Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire said, “Enforcing federal law on behalf of vulnerable children makes our community stronger. This agreement is a win for MNPS students and parents.”
As part of the settlement, MNPS and Ross ELC have agreed to update their policies in line with ADA requirements. They will permit use of CGMs prescribed by healthcare providers, equip schools with appropriate technology to receive CGM alerts, provide trained staff with devices for communication regarding students’ health needs during school hours and activities, and make relevant policies available on their website under “Policies and Procedures.” The district will also pay $1,000 to the complainants.
Assistant United States Attorney Ellen Bowden McIntyre investigated and negotiated this resolution. The civil claims settled are allegations only; no determination of liability has been made.
The ADA was enacted in 1990 to ensure equal rights for people with disabilities across all aspects of community life. More information can be found at http://www.ada.gov or through contacting local civil rights hotlines.
