Definitions

(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education. (2) “Complaint” means a report of allegations of non-compliance with T.C.A. § 49-6-310 filed with the Department by a Reporting Party using the reporting form made available by the Department. Department personnel may assist a Reporting Party to fill out the reporting form if assistance is needed, or if the Reporting Party wishes to file a Complaint via phone. (3) “Department” means the Tennessee Department of Education. (4) “High School” means a public school or public charter school in which any combination of grades nine through twelve (9-12) are taught. (5) “Interscholastic Athletic Activity or Event” means a sporting activity or sporting event involving two (2) or more schools, at least one (1) of which is a Middle School or a High School. (6) “LEA” means a Tennessee local education agency and has the same meaning given in T.C.A. § 49-1-103(2). (7) “Middle School” means a public school or public charter school in which any combination of grades five through eight (5-8) are taught. (8) “Reporting Party” means a current student of a Tennessee LEA or public charter school, a parent or guardian of a current student of a Tennessee LEA or public charter school, or any Tennessee citizen who submits a Complaint alleging noncompliance with T.C.A. § 49-6-310(a) to the Tennessee Department of Education. (9) “State Education Finance Funds” means the state school fund as defined in T.C.A. § 49-3- 101(a) or funds appropriated or allocated from the state treasury for the operation and maintenance of the public schools or that may derive from any state taxes, the proceeds of which are devoted to public school purposes.