2019 Archives for K-12 Education

From vouchers to Bible Release Time to the TVA tower deal, the school board navigated some treacherous waters this year.

In two 5-4 votes, the school board turns down religious release time and signals support for moving into TVA’s East Tower.

Debating whether to excuse students for religious instruction, the school board hears from pastors, parents, Satanists and teachers.

Documents lay out proposed agreements between Knox County, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Knox County Schools for taking over the East Tower.

A divided Knox County school board puts a proposed policy for outside religious instruction on its December agenda.

With free rent thrown into the mix, the move from the Andrew Johnson Building to the East Tower wins the school administration’s support.

And the girls’ room. And the classroom. The Knox County school board confronts e-cigarettes with a new proposed policy.

In Lonsdale, the school board and city are exchanging a park for a school and a school for a park.

As estimated numbers change, some school board members raise questions about the TVA East Tower deal.

The Knox County school board’s lobbyists say the change in leadership in the state House of Representatives means less support for vouchers.

Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas objects to plan to move Central Office, questions county’s numbers.

The Knox County Schools coupon book onslaught returns, and this year more of the money raised will stay at the school where a book is sold.

As Knox County prepares to build three new elementary schools, each presents a different challenge.

The state’s new education commissioner says she wants to refocus on providing materials and resources for Tennessee teachers.

A state survey of teacher attitudes shows generally high job satisfaction but a lot of variation among individual Knox County schools.

State test results show Knox County schools making gains overall, with plenty of areas to work on.

Despite missing data, the school board extends Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas’ contract for another year.

The Knox County school board approves a new agreement on officers in the schools, and sends a message about restraint.

With $4.2 million in surplus revenues, the Knox County school board checks one last item off its budget wish list.

As the school board considers an amended agreement for law enforcement on campus, some raise concerns.

The Knox County school board gets an earful about perceived biases and inadequacies in its abstinence-only sex education curriculum.

The Knox County school board sends proposed public forum restrictions back for more discussion.

The Knox County school board considers new restrictions on public speakers at its meetings.

The Knox County school board enthusiastically approves a $506.6 million proposed budget and a capital plan with three new elementary schools.

After arm-twisting and deal-making, Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill squeaks through the House and a key Senate committee.

Knox County Schools proposes a budget that boosts teacher pay and stays inside existing revenue projections.

As the school voucher bill nears crucial votes tomorrow, Knoxville Republicans in the House and Senate are on opposite sides.

The Knox County Board of Education faces pressure from advocates calling for more funding, and existing revenue sources that may not provide it.

The city, county and school administrations will present budget proposals in the next few weeks. Here’s a look at the timelines and the issues to watch.

Improved reading and math scores and a more diverse workforce are among the aims in Knox County Schools’ new five-year plan.

Gov. Bill Lee has been touting his proposed spending on education, but Knox County officials say his budget would give less than they were expecting.

Socialists and satanists are invoked as the House Education Committee approves Gov. Bill Lee's voucher plan on a split vote.

Knoxville’s Bill Dunn shepherds Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Accounts bill over its first legislative hurdle.

Lonsdale, Adrian Burnett and a new northwest building will be in the capital plan presented to the school board.

The Legislature gears up for Gov. Bill Lee’s proposals to broaden charter authorization and school vouchers.

After nearly being shut down two months ago, Career Magnet Academy reports a surge in applications.

Knox County School administrators have been struggling to complete a new strategic plan for nearly a year. Now the school board is taking over.

The Knox County school board weighs an incentive package to attract and retain special education teachers.

Knox County Superintendent Bob Thomas details $26 million in possible new expenses for 2019-20.

Responding to students and parents, the Knox County school board votes to revamp Career Magnet Academy rather than shut it down.

As students, parents and staff rally to save an endangered school, a majority of the school board seems inclined to support them.

Knox County’s state lawmakers return to Nashville this week with a passel of wish lists from the school board and County Commission.

Both Knox County Schools and the University of Tennessee will make major decisions about the future in 2019.