Tennessee: Hickman Co hires 4th school psychologist; 21% have special needs

Aug 21, 2025, Hickman County Times: New school psychologist hired to relieve special education case loads

https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/community-hickmancountrytimes/new-psychologist-hired-by-school-system-will-relieve-special-education-case-loads 

Director of Schools John Mullins announced at the most recent school board meeting that the school system has decided to hire a new psychologist in order to assist with growing case loads.

Last school year, Ashley Totty, director of special education services for Hickman County Schools, approached the school board about adding a position for another school psychologist.

The position was mentioned at the July school board meeting, and the official hire was announced at the August meeting.

Why new hire?

“We have three school psychologists, the case loads and procedures have grown,” Mullins said. “And the time frame for them to fulfill their obligations has lessened. So, we are in need of a school psychologist.”

The position, Mullins said, is subject to board approval within budget constraints.

“We’re trying to get out in front of it,” Mullins said. “School psychologists are hard to find.”

Inclusion teachers, who help students with special education needs within regular education classroom settings have been decreased, Mullins continued.

“We had four [inclusion teachers] last year, and this year we only have three,” Mullins said. “This freed up the money to create the position.”

Additionally, Totty said during the meeting that last spring, special education reports must be completed 48 hours in advance of deadlines. The time crunch now requires school psychologists to complete more work and in less time.

“So, they now have to have their reports to a family two days ahead of time,” Totty said. “It was never like that. We would present our findings in meetings [with parents]. So, that 48-hour advance has really put the pressure on.” . . .

 “Our special education population is higher than we wish it was,” Mullins said. “We hope to be able to lower that through providing quality instruction.”

The percentage of students in the Hickman County school system receiving special education services is at 21 percent, which Mullins said is 5-6 percent higher than the ideal, creating a large workload for the psychologists.

Who is new hire?

Mullins announced that the new psychologist would be Miranda Mars.

The vote was unanimous to hire a new psychologist, though District 7 board member recused herself from the vote, since the new hire is her sister.

“Her resume is very impressive,” Mullins said. “She hasn’t made a B, yet, in college.”