CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After new Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board member Teresa Crosslin withdrew her resignation from the board, the big question has been whether her resignation could be withdrawn, or if she would be allowed to remain a School Board member.
Friday morning, Montgomery County Attorney Tim Harvey issued his opinion: Crosslin remains a School Board member.
“Crosslin was given the oath of office, submitted a resignation, but then her resignation was withdrawn before it had legal effect under TCA: 8-48-104,” Harvey said in an opinion obtained by Clarksville Now.
Crosslin sworn in, resigns, resignation withdrawn
Crosslin was to replace Herbert Nelson, who resigned in August. She was appointed on Nov. 10 by a vote of the County Commission, selected over three other applicants. However, Crosslin was not present at Tuesday’s School Board meeting, which was to be her first.
Crosslin had been sworn in the day before on Monday, and she resigned Monday evening, stating, “I, Teresa Crosslin, upon further consideration, am immediately resigning my position with the CMCSS School Board, District 3,” according to CMCSS.
Previously, Crosslin said she was hit with “a hard realization” about how much was involved in accepting the position and that she wouldn’t be able to give the necessary commitment.
However, on Thursday, in an exclusive interview with Clarksville Now, Crosslin explained that her decision to resign was fueled by panic. “An anonymous call to the school district claimed that I appeared on an adult show over a decade ago,” Crosslin said. “I panicked and believed that if I resigned it might spare the School Board and my family some embarrassment.”
She decided to withdraw the resignation.
| PREVIOUSLY: Crosslin withdraws School Board resignation, says ‘Gigolos’ appearance will not define her
No chance to act on resignation before withdrawal
That left the question of whether her resignation ever took effect, and whether she was legally able to withdraw it.
In his opinion letter, Harvey explained that under state law, the resignation must be filed with and accepted by the body that appointed Crosslin, which was the County Commission. Since the County Commission hasn’t met since her swearing-in, the commission hasn’t been able to accept the resignation. With the resignation being withdrawn, effectively nothing has happened.
“Since Monday, November 17, 2025, the Montgomery County Commission has not met on any matter. … The body speaks only through its votes at official meetings,” Harvey wrote.
“Certain officers of Montgomery County did indeed receive the documents representing the resignation and the withdrawal of the resignation at or near the time of their making. However here, no action had been taken by the Montgomery County Commission to ‘accept’ the resignation nor to act to fill it. Under the reading of all applicable law here relevant, such a resignation, not yet accepted, may be withdrawn and was timely withdrawn.”
Harvey’s letter is an opinion and not necessarily a formal action by Montgomery County Government. Clarksville Now has reached out to Montgomery County Government on whether Crosslin’s resignation will be accepted.
This article will be updated.
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