A Grainger County School board member who also served as a substitute teacher has been arrested following allegations of an inappropriate relationship. 

According to multiple published reports, Steve Blanken – who represents District 2 – was arrested after allegations arose about an inappropriate relationship with a child. 

Grainger County Director of School Mark Briscoe released the following statement. 

“On Thursday, February 19, 2026, a parent came forward to school system administration alleging a possible inappropriate relationship between her child and a school board member, who also served at times as a substitute teacher.

“After learning what had been alleged, administration immediately notified law-enforcement and cooperated in full as they initiated an investigation. Since that time, the matter has been turned over to the Grainger County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the school system has remained fully cooperative and transparent with the investigating agencies during this process.

“Since the day administration was notified of the serious allegations brought forth on February 19, immediate steps were also taken to ensure he could not serve as a substitute teacher in any capacity within the district. Due to the ongoing investigation, Granger County Schools would refer all other specific questions or concerns regarding the investigation itself to the Grainger County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, or the District Attorney’s Office.” 

More information about the precise charges is expected Monday.