Case Number: 26507

Court: Weakley County Chancery Court

Clients: The Weakley County Examiner, Shannon Taylor Merrell

Background: In November 2025, The Weakley County Examiner submitted a public records request to Weakley County Schools seeking access to a settlement agreement it had reached months earlier with a former student who had accused the school district of repeatedly discriminating against her because of her disabilities. 

Weakley County Schools denied the request, citing an exemption under the Tennessee Public Records Act that protects “the records of students in public educational institutions.” 

In a letter challenging the denial, Reporters Committee attorney Paul McAdoo argued on behalf of The Examiner that the cited exemption does not apply because the lawsuit and subsequent settlement all happened after the student graduated from school. In response, the school district once again declined to turn over the records. 

On behalf of The Examiner and CEO/Publisher Shannon Taylor Merrell, McAdoo filed this lawsuit alleging that Weakley County Schools violated the public records law by failing to provide access to the requested settlement documents. 

Quote: “The Examiner maintains that the public has a right to know how a public institution resolved litigation brought against it and whether public money was involved,” The Examiner reported.

Filings:

2026-07-09: Petition for access to public records