Metro Nashville Public Schools has decided to keep a J.T. Moore Middle School teacher in the classroom while he faces charges of false imprisonment and violating an order of protection, saying its review did not warrant administrative leave.
Joshua Lawhorn, who teaches sixth grade, was arrested Aug. 23 and Sept. 1 following allegations by an ex-girlfriend. He was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 20. The charges remain pending and are not findings of guilt.
The employment decision differs from the district’s response to the arrest of Warner Elementary Principal Janelle Brooks. MNPS placed Brooks on administrative leave Aug. 21 after she was arrested on a domestic aggravated assault charge. She remains on leave, according to district spokesperson Sean Braisted.
Braisted said the two employees face different charges and that MNPS evaluates arrests individually. Its assessment considers the allegations, state law, district rules and whether an employee can perform their duties without raising concerns for the school environment.
A criminal charge alone does not automatically trigger leave, Braisted said. He confirmed that Lawhorn notified the district of his arrest within the required timeframe and that officials know about the charges and court date. MNPS will continue monitoring the case and may act if circumstances change, he said.
The criminal proceedings followed an Aug. 10 report to Metro Nashville police in which Lawhorn’s ex-girlfriend alleged ongoing domestic abuse. On Aug. 21, a court issued a temporary protection order covering the woman and her 13-year-old child. It prohibited Lawhorn from contacting, approaching, threatening or abusing them.
In her petition, the woman alleged stalking and sexual assault. She also described a June 30 encounter at Lawhorn’s home that later became the basis for the false imprisonment charge.
According to an arrest affidavit, the woman had finished showering and asked for privacy while she dressed. She alleged that Lawhorn became angry and blocked the bedroom doorway, preventing her from leaving. In her written account, she said she dressed while he watched because she feared his behavior could become violent.
The affidavit also describes a later text message in which Lawhorn apologized for blocking the doorway. A screenshot of that exchange was shared with domestic violence detectives, according to the affidavit.
The woman’s protection-order petition said she ended the relationship by text Aug. 20 and asked Lawhorn to stop contacting her. She alleged that he continued calling and texting, then came to her home. She sought the court order the following day, saying she feared for herself and her child.
The alleged violation occurred shortly after authorities notified Lawhorn of the order. An arrest affidavit states that the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office called him at 5:27 p.m. Aug. 21. Two minutes later, he sent the woman a text acknowledging the sheriff’s call and referring to seeing her in court.
Lawhorn was arrested Aug. 23 on the protection-order charge. His Sept. 1 arrest on the false imprisonment charge concerned the earlier encounter at his home.
District personnel records show Lawhorn has worked at J.T. Moore since 2024. He previously taught at Two Rivers Middle School from 2013 through 2020 and received tenure in 2019.
MNPS policy gives administrators several options when a teacher is under investigation. Under policy 5.201.1p, human resources may initially place a teacher on paid administrative leave for up to 10 working days during an internal or outside-agency investigation to maintain a safe school environment.
After that period, the superintendent, consulting with human resources, may keep the teacher on paid leave, suspend the teacher without pay or allow a return to work. Once paid leave reaches 29 days, the policy calls for human resources to recommend unpaid suspension while the investigation continues.
The superintendent retains final discretion over that decision. In Lawhorn’s case, the district has chosen continued classroom employment while the court proceedings move forward.