Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner

Below is a list of staff members for the Office of School Safety and Learning Support.  You will also find the program area that each individual specializes in and their corresponding contact information.  Please do not hesitative to contact our office if we can be of any assistance.

Mike Herrmann
Executive Director
SAVE Act, Safe Schools Act funds, school security, Emergency Services Coordinator,
and general school safety concerns
(615) 741-8468
Mike.Herrmann@tn.gov

Pearl Merritt
Program Compliance Monitor
School safety compliance and monitoring, data reporting, research, program evaluation and assessment, grant and contract review
(615) 532-2717
Pearl.Merritt@tn.gov

Laura Nichols
Director of Extended Learning Programs and Character Education
Character Education Partnership, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and LEAPS
(615) 253-6037
Laura.Nichols@tn.gov

Marla J. Smith, Ed.D.
Education Consultant
21st Century Community Learning Centers
(615) 532-0469
Marla.Smith@tn.gov

JoAnn Summers
Safe Schools Grant Manager / Administrative Services
Safe Schools Grant, Character Education Speaker Coordinator, data collection, administrative services, and other general inquires about the Office of School Safety and Learning Support
(615) 532-1665
Jo.Ann.Summers@tn.gov

Rita Tompkins
Program Manager
Title IV-A Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program
Title IV-A funding to local schools, Consolidated Applications, Comprehensive Intervention Services Grants, Youth Violence and Drug Prevention Grants
(615) 741-8466
Rita.Tompkins@tn.gov

James Vince Witty
School Safety Specialist
Alternative and Nontraditional Education, Character Education, Conflict Resolution, Student Victimization and Zero Tolerance reporting, Emergency Services Coordinator, data collection, School Resource Officers, and web publishing
(615) 532-4768
James.Witty@tn.gov