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STAFF REPORTS
The case of Nicole Louise Horne, scheduled to be heard Wednesday in Carter County General Sessions Court, was postponed until April 3.
Horne, a former teacher at East Side Elementary School, was charged with simple assault and child abuse and neglect as a result of her allegedly dragging a fifth-grader across a gym floor during an intramural basketball game in November 2023.
Horne’s attorney, Robert Black, and Assistant District Attorney Will Monk told Sessions Court Judge Keith Bowers they were attempting to reach a resolution on the case that would allow the former teacher to seek judicial diversion. This would allow the charges to be expunged from Horne’s record if she meets certain requirements.
Horne, 41, had taught in the Elizabethton schools for 10 years and was named building-level teacher of the year in 2013.
Horne was charged when a student complained that a foul had not been called in the game she was officiating. Horne admitted to the school principal taking the student out of the gym by his backpack. In the school report, Horne told officials the student was questioning the calls on the basketball floor and was not in his seat. She said she asked him to leave the gym and he did not comply. When the incident escalated, Horne allegedly grabbed the top neck strap of the child’s backpack and dragged him out of the gym.
Horne admitted to school officials that she knew it was a mistake and that she would probably lose her job.
Horne was suspended by the school principal without pay, who recommended to the City Superintendent of Schools that the teacher be fired, which she was on Dec. 19 by School Director Richard VanHuss.
Following a police investigation, Horne was charged with two Class A misdemeanors.