The United States has reached a settlement with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and Ross Early Learning Center (Ross ELC) regarding allegations that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case involved claims that the school district and learning center refused to allow certain communications related to continuous glucose monitoring for a three-year-old student with Type 1 Diabetes.
“Enforcing federal law on behalf of vulnerable children makes our community stronger,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “This agreement is a win for MNPS students and parents.”
According to the complaint, the child attended Ross ELC during much of the 2023-2024 school year and remained an MNPS student through 2024-25. The child’s physician prescribed a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use without additional blood testing. The CGM transmits alerts about blood glucose levels to wireless devices.
The parents requested that school staff monitor their child's CGM while at school or during school-sponsored activities. However, Ross ELC only partially agreed, leaving responsibility to the parents or child after the nurse left in the afternoons. Initially, Ross ELC allowed use of a device provided by the parents but later reversed this decision, restricting communication about CGM readings to phone calls or password-protected emails. This led the parents to temporarily withdraw their child from Ross ELC due to these policies, later returning only for half-days because of limited nursing coverage. At times, the child experienced dangerous blood glucose levels requiring urgent parental intervention.
Under the settlement terms, MNPS and Ross ELC have agreed not to exclude qualified individuals with disabilities from participation in district services or subject them to discrimination based on disability as required by the ADA. They will update policies so children prescribed CGMs can use them at school, ensure staff are trained and equipped with appropriate technology for monitoring CGMs, and make relevant policies available online under their “Policies and Procedures” section.
Additionally, MNPS will pay $1,000 to resolve this matter with the complainants.
Assistant United States Attorney Ellen Bowden McIntyre investigated and negotiated this resolution on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. MNPS worked collaboratively with federal authorities throughout this process.
It was noted that these civil claims are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
The ADA was enacted in 1990 to guarantee people with disabilities equal rights in public life alongside other citizens. More information about ADA rights can be found at http://www.ada.gov or by contacting relevant hotlines listed by federal authorities.