The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 34
Subject: Metropolitan Government Employee Volunteer and Mentoring in Schools Program
WHEREAS, the quality of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools impacts the daily lives of every resident of Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government employs thousands of educated, talented, and caring adults; and
WHEREAS, a planned and coordinated approach to recruiting, training, assigning and supporting Metropolitan Government employees to participate in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School employee volunteer program is in the overall best interest of the Metropolitan Government; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education welcomes the time and service of Metropolitan Government employees as volunteers and mentors in its schools.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
1. Coordination and Development. The Mayor’s Office on Children and Youth is responsible for coordinating with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools regarding the participation of Metropolitan Government employees in the employee volunteer and mentoring program.
2. Persons Covered. The opportunity to participate in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School employee volunteer and mentoring program is available to all unclassified and classified employees of the Metropolitan Government as outlined below. Classified employees may participate pursuant to the Rules and Policies of the Civil Service Commission. This Executive Order does not apply to the employees of Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, and Metropolitan Hospital Authority. Those Appointing Authorities may wish to consider adopting a similar program.
3. Unclassified employees may volunteer or serve as a mentor up to one (1) hour per week in designated schools. Up to one (1) additional hour per week may be allowed for travel time to and from the assigned school. All of this time will be considered as paid administrative leave. Each Appointing Authority shall have the discretion to approve or disapprove leave requests. All approved volunteer/mentor work and travel time must occur within the normal work hours of each employee-participant. No leave request shall be granted under this authority if it is determined by the Appointing Authority that such leave would disrupt the workplace. Unclassified employees will be paid their normal rate of pay while participating in this program. These employees are determined, by this Executive Order, to be acting on behalf of the Metropolitan Government and within the scope of their employment while working in the school and traveling to and from the assigned school and their usual work site. While participating in this program, each participant must comply with the appropriate policies and procedures of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: January 17, 2024
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor