School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and Final Votes

back to main motion. Cindy Butry is demanding a division of the questions. A Vote on the division will be required. A recess is taken to seek the opinion of the Law Director.

Citing Superintendent Mullins Memo of today. There will be two votes with items B, C and D the Collective Motion of the Rezoning as one vote and item A Exception to Sibling Attendance will be the second vote. Motion by Buttry and seconded by Bratton to divide.

A spells out the sibling grandfathering policy. All students in grades 6-12 in 2008/2009 will have the option to grandfather to the high school they are currently zoned to.

The Vote on the division of the questions passes with 6 vote in support and 3 in opposition.

Anderson Y
Kincannon N
Buttry Y
Murphy N
Carson N
Deakins Y
Stooksbury Y
Williams Y
Bratton Y

Now the vote on the Superintendent's Rezoning Recommendation. Dr. Murphy asked if this is the vote. Some discussion ensues between Bratton and Murphy about amendments. Dr. Murphy said this process has been going on for years. The Board Chair at the time looked at 50 parcels of property. Hardin Valley is the best choice for the high school. Dr. Murphy said we have to vote on a systematic plan. There is an exception transfer policy. I will ask the Superintendent to look at that policy and set it up on an as needs basis.

Robert Bratton said we said we would look at pockets of population. I have been with this government for over a decade and asked about a transfer and it was denied. I said I would look at transfers and it was approved.

Sam Anderson said that voting on grandfathering is very specific. The Superintendent should have the ability to change it. I don't want to limit him. I will vote for the rezoning. After all the work that we put into this, we need to vote on it.

The vote on the rezoning passes with 5 in support and 4 in opposition.

Anderson Y
Kincannon Y

Buttry N
Murphy Y
Carson Y
Deakins N
Stooksbury N
Williams Y
Bratton N

The vote on Grandfathering Siblings passes unanimously with 9 board members casting votes in support.

Anderson Y
Kincannon Y
Buttry Y
Murphy Y
Carson Y
Deakins Y
Stooksbury Y
Williams Y
Bratton Y

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and Amendment Vote

back to main motion Thomas Deakins stated that if the Superintendent's plan passes. I want to met with you and let's look at taking a greater percentage from the Farragut school zone.

Indya Kincannon presents amendment to keep the Spring Hill community in the Fulton zone. Seconded by Dr. Murphy. She didn't bring a map "in order to save trees." The board members were informed on Monday night that any board member making an amendment this evening have it reduced to writing with a map.

Bratton and Kincannon have a discussion of what is free and reduced at A-E 78% Fulton 64%. Is it a negative racial impact. Anderson says No. Anderson said that A-E is 85% Africian-American 15% White. Spring Hill is 50/50.

Kincannon informs the board that the 4 schools that are in good standing are Farragut, Powell, Gibbs and Bearden. Robert Bratton explained to Mrs. Kincannon that at the community meeting at Fulton High School which is the only high school in her district that she informed the community that Knox County has 8 failing High Schools.

Mike Winstead of Knox County Schools explained the difference between a targeted school according to NCLB and a failing school according to NCLB. NCLB is the Federal No Child Left Behind Program.

Jim Williams responding to Indya Kincannon that Gibbs is losing students and Carter is losing students. Gibbs is growing and Carter is Not.

The Amendment failed with 3 in favor and 6 in opposition.

Anderson N
Kincannon Y
Buttry N
Murphy N
Carson Y
Deakins N
Stooksbury N
Williams N
Bratton Y

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and Amendment Vote

back to the main motion Thomas Deakins presents an amendment to redefine the area west of Everett Road the 6 subdivisions and the Ridgeland subdivision remain in the Farragut High School zone.

The Amendment to the motion fails with 1 in favor and 8 in opposition.

Anderson N
Kincannon N
Buttry N
Murphy N
Carson N
Deakins Y
Stooksbury N
Williams N
Bratton N

Sam Anderson said I appreciate what you are trying to do. A certain group from Farragut pushed the Commission and County Mayor for a new high school.

Karen Carson said I realize that we are going to have to look at rezoning Farragut again. The community said they would rather not do it again in 4 or 5 years.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and Amendment Vote

The Board Chair announces we are back to the Main Motion. Rex Stooksbury offers an amendment that 80 plus students from Central to Powell be sent to Powell and no others be moved out of Powell. Deakins seconded the amendment.

Cindy Buttry stated that because of what just happened I will be voting No on all amendments and on the main motion. Audience applause.

This is a net increase of 83 students at Powell from Central from Superintendent Mullins proposal.

Indya Kincannon said I am concerned it is to keep low income students out of Powell. I know that you can get a good/excellent education at Central. I will ensure that all 13 of our schools are excellent. Test scores are only one measure and not the only measure of a successful school.

Sam Anderson said First, Mr. Stooksbury, Thank You for the maps. What will the enrollment at Karns be? Stooksbury it will not affect enrollment much at all.

The amendment is to rezone 73 students from Central to Powell. The amendment fails with 4 in favor and 5 in opposition.

Anderson N
Kincannon N
Buttry N
Murphy N
Carson N
Deakins Y
Stooksbury Y
Williams Y
Bratton Y

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and First Votes

Robert Bratton made an amendment to the Cindy Buttry substitute motion. No grandfathering of Juniors/Seniors of area North of I-40 and west of Pellissippi Parkway. Include the zones of Cedar Bluff Elementary and Ball Camp Elementary to the Hardin Valley High School.

Carson opposes the exclusion of grandfathering juniors and seniors. Bratton said that makes perfect sense and the numbers in my amendment will be sufficient without the mandatory non-grandfathering.

Bratton said I have spent time with my momma cooking all day, but it is the ingredient that she added at the end of the day that makes it taste the best.

The Vote on the Robert Bratton Amendment to the Substitute Motion: Fails 3 in Favor 6 in Opposition.

Anderson - No

Kincannon No
Buttry Yes

Murphy No

Carson No
Deakins No

Stooksbury Yes
Williams No

Bratton Yes

The Cindy Buttry Substitute Motion Fails 2 in support and 7 in opposition.

Anderson No
Kincannon No
Buttry Yes
Murphy No
Carson No
Deakins No
Stooksbury Yes
Williams No
Bratton No

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion

Cindy Buttry stated that I did respect this board by bringing it in writing and with a map. Mrs. Reynolds doesn't know who is coming, now. My proposal not having the numbers that affect each school is irrelevant. It is the growth. You know what the numbers are in the growth.

We are not affecting anyone that does not know they are being rezoned. If School Board members want to make amendments and add on to make Hardin Valley a more viable high school. Then that is fine.

Robert Bratton asked that he needs 10 minute recess to come up with an amendment to make this a viable school.

Chairwoman Carson obviously perturbed at the request granted a 5 minute recess.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion

Mr. Anderson is addressing the board We have an open zone, there are 5 private schools in this area of teh county. The County Mayor was going to build a Downtown Library the people of Farragut said No, we need a High School.

We wanted to build a school at I-40 and Pellissippi and couldn't find a site. Editorial Note: This is not true. Property was located on George Williams Rd. and Anderson voted NO.

A parent (Community Activist Pamela Treacy) went forward and asked Madam Chair if something is said that is wrong can we (the audience) help you by correcting it. Chairwoman Carson said NO.

The parent informed Brian's Blog hat Mr. Anderson's statement that the Farragut community was opposed to the Downtown Library and demanded a new high school was inaccurate. What the Farragut community asked for was a solution to overcrowding not a new high school in the Hardin Valley community.

Robert Bratton said if we approve a zoning with a half a dozen amendments you are changing 80% of the proposed plan anyway.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion and Number Crunching

Thomas Deakins has spent time looking at the numbers. By 2013 the rezoning will have to be conducted and done by other board members. The audience applauded.

He complimented Mrs. Buttry by saying this proposal is out of the box thinking.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion

Thomas Deakins (continued) ask a question to Donna Wright: What will this do to curriculm? Donna Wright. You build a core and then build the rest with who shows up. Deakins: so you could survey all potential 9th graders to see if they intend to come.

Karen Carson when I look at 385 if that is 4 grades. That is only 96 students per grade. Does that include grandfathering? Buttry that is not part of the proposal. Carson: I keep hearing parental involvement, I am a proponent of that. We have had 30 hours of Community forums. Editorial Note: Community forums are not public hearings, The community forums are an avenue with no give and take. We are putting Sallie Reynolds at a disadvantgeous.

Thomas Deakins: If you did a rezoning in 2011 it would have to be a mandatory rezoning.

Much mundane discussion is underway by the School Board Members.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion with a Commissioner Thrown in

Robert Bratton: I have heard folks say that they would like a school with open enrollment then prove it. Give our curriculum people the opportunity to make this an out of the box school. You will have kids that will never be the starting quarterback, or have the lead role in a play. If we can have a viable school in this system at less than 800 students. Then we can make this a viable school.

I felt this is the best option that is why I yielded the floor to Mrs. Buttry. Because all we will have when one amendment passes by a board member then I got my kids in my district fixed, I will vote for plan. And that is not right.

Thomas Deakins: When we had the groundbreaking. He then called Commissioner Lambert to the podium. Do you have a problem with putting 384 students in this high school. Yes, I will be comfortable with that. I have confidence in the school board and the administration. I wish you didn't force kids to attend and instead give them the option to attend. You have the experience and the heart to help kids. You can build a school that kids will want to attend. I am asking you to vote for Cindy's proposal.

School Board Meeting - Board Discussion

Cindy Buttry and Robert Bratton have presented a Substitute Motion that will create a zone west of Pellissippi Parkway north of I-40 and have Hardin Valley as an Open Zoning option.

Dr. Murphy asked how many 9-12 students in this zone? CB says in the HVHS zone 385 students. Dr.M asked for clarification what would happen at Farragut? CB says Karns will decrease 350 students. Farragut will change slightly. We will be rezoning in 5 years eventually any way. If you believe MPC's numbers, let's wait. We are giving everyone in the county the opportunity to attend Hardin Valley. Let's put our money where our mouth is.

Indya Kincannon Thanks for writing your amendment. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in proposing it. We have overcrowding at Karns and Farragut. Kincannon turns to the audience and says How many of you would opt to send your kids to Hardin Valley? The crowd asked what kind of school will it be. Kincannon says I support open enrollment. Time will tell if she supports open enrollment.

School Board Meeting - Public/Parent Forum

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School Board Meeting - Notable Attendee

County Commissioner Greg Lumpy Lambert is in the building and at the meeting. He is right beside Brian Hornback of Brian's Blog.

School Board Meeting - Public/Parent Forum

Kelly Shanton of Powell and a teacher in West Knox County. I hear a theme tonight and on Monday, Parental Involvement. I feel it is important that you vote No and include us. It is important that you vote No. We are strong, intelligent people and you need to have confidence in us.

Kim York of West Knox County. A parent of a 7th grader at West Valley Middle School. All of these students will attend Bearden High School with the exception of 10 7th grade students. "Mrs. Carson, West Valley is in your district. How did you let this happen to my son."

Wayne Limbaugh Alice Bell/Spring Hill - You are dividing our community. Why send Farragut to Bearden. Why not Farragut to Hardin Valley, Bearden to Hardin Valley. Leave our community alone.

Kevin Sparks of Powell. The information is not reliable. Frustration is that the original plan was thrown out. Why was that? You know the answer. We do not. You built the high school in the wrong place. How many school board members does it take to show our kids that our leaders can work for the people. Do we show them (students) our leaders use flawed information just to move it forward. It only takes 5 to show them real leadership.

School Board Meeting - Public/Parent Forum

Robert Williams of Farragut asks the board to involve the parents. With this plan we are fracturing feeder plans. A study of transportation study hasn't been completed. Children succeed when adults work together. You can vote Yes and keep our feet firmly planted in the past. You can vote yes and say you do not want public participation. Vote No and say we do want parents involved, our community is important. audience ovation.

Fiona Hill of Farragut. Life is a compromise. I listened Monday night to each amendment and each board member made valid points. I ask that you vote for all three amendments that were preented Monday night.

Debra Van Metre of Knox County. How can you actually vote for this plan when you have heard valid concerns. Our kids say I have a booboo, make it quit hurting and go away. Please do not solve this with a bandaid.

School Board Meeting - Public/Student/Parent Forum

Nick Rhodes a student at Powell. I am having to go to Central and my best friends are at Powell. Moving kids where they do not want to be. Audience standing ovation.

Tamara Shepherd of Powell Mr. Deakins you have to vote No. Mr. Buttry you have to Vote No due to Karns sitting half empty, Mr. Stooksbury you must vote no.

Mrs. Carson, Dr. Murphy with Bearden and West there are inconsistancy in curriculm. you must vote No. Mr. Anderson you are not sure what will happen at A-E you must vote No.

You must vote NO.

David Lambert of Powell. I sent you an email last night. I have had three weeks to prepare for this. None of this will benefit all of Knox County. This plan does not serve everyone please vote no.

School Board Meeting - Public/Parent Forum

Joe Walker of Ridgeland Subdivision is speaking of the unsafe proposed bus route to move the children down North Campbell Station Road. He is speaking of the dangerous wrecks that he has witnessed and those of his neighbors. He is suggesting two options 1. Fix the roads and give us routes that are as safe we have now. 2. Send an adequate number of students from Farragut to Hardin Valley and then we will happily attend the new school.

Johnny Waggoner Alice Bell/Spring Hill is addressing the board. He has lived in the neighborhood for 41 years and his neighborhood will be split. I understand we have to rezone. We have spent $50 million dollars to build a school for the overcrowded West Knox County high schools of Farragut, Bearden, Karns and West. If you must rezone. I ask that you consider all the ammendments. Search your souls tonight. If you must involve us.

Laurie Alford of Kingston Woods is addressing the board. She took the numbers that were reported in the KNS when it was first proposed KHS 1054 families affected, FHS 648 families are being moved. BHS 1405 children are being moved. WHS 639 children being affected PHS 503 children affected. Central 445 children affected. Fulton 117 children affected. A-E 217 children Carter 59 families to A-E Gibbs 77 families. Halls 4 families to Central. This is what we see. We are not just numbers we are people. audience applause. I will update with any correction for the numbers from Mrs. Alford after the meeting.