001Welcome to the board of education's May 7th, 2026 regular session meeting. Please stand as we observe a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Dr. Butler. I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Reverend Butler. As Superintendent Risewick announced at Monday's work session, high school graduations will begin on May 14th and run through May 21st. A complete schedule can be found on the KCS website. On behalf of the board, I want to congratulate the class of 2026 and we wish them nothing but best in the their future endeavors. Um, are there any requested changes to the agenda? >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Templeton.
002All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. I think we have a special recognition tonight and uh being our Farragut board member, Miss Morgan. [clears throat] >> Yes. I am so excited that we get to recognize our incredible um board student representative Albert Lou. We're gonna There's a lot to recognize, so buckle up, Albert. It's going to be a couple minutes where I know your face might turn red, but we really appreciate all you've done. Um Albert, I want to say thank you for your service over the past year, and I know I speak for all of us when I say it's been a pleasure serving alongside you. I just want to take a couple minutes to brag on you and then we'll go up front and all of us board
003members will take a picture with you. In addition to serving as the board student representative, want to let everybody know about Albert, he is the president and founder of Farragate High School's chapter of youth and government. He also served as, this is an incredibly impressive list, president of Farragut's National Honor Society, the national director of development, director of fundraising and fundraising specialist for the civics leaders of America, the director of treasury and convention for Junior State of America, youth representative for the Farragate Municipal Planning Commission, vice president of the Knoxville Teen Elementary Education Mentors, treasurer of Tennessee High School Democrats Knox County chapter and director of outreach for the Farragate Astronomy Club. Albert has over 400 service hours with the National Honor Society, a math tutor for Farragate High School's chapter of MOU Alpha Theta,
004as a board member of Farragate High School's senior board, as a trombone tutor tutor for the Joy of Music School, and as campaign secretary and field intern for Gloria Johnson for the US Senate campaign. Albert's awards and honors include being a National Merit Scholar semi- finalist, an AP scholar with distinction award, an AP capstone diploma, MOU alphatheta member, a CompTIA tech certification. I don't did I even say that right, Albert? Okay, thank you. Great. Learn something new tonight. Love that industry certification, right? Yeah, a really good one. It's impressive. Hard to earn. Albert [snorts] uh and a food handler serve safe certification. I do know that one. I did obtain that one myself in college. Um Albert attended the Governor's School for Technological Innovation and Business Leadership, the Governor's School for International Studies, and the
005Governor's School for the Arts. He was also selected as one of two students out of the class of 2026 to serve on the Farragate High School Golden Anchor Committee. He is a Tennessee music educators association allstate musician, an East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association all east musician, first trombonist for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, a member of the Farragate Jazz Band, participated in the Farragate Competitive Marching Band, and was a top six seated varsity Tennessee player, the 2026 TWSAA region 2 boys Tennessee champion, and the 2026 TWSAA District 4A team finals champion. I don't know how you fit us in your schedule, Albert. That's a lot. As you can tell, Mr. Lou is a very special, extraordinary student, and our board was very blessed by his hard work, input, and service. Albert, on behalf of
006the board, thank you once again for your service, and we look forward to seeing what happens in your very, very bright future. So pictures [applause] everyone. [applause] It's like you're perfect. Yeah, y'all look great. He wants to Thank you. [applause] All right, Miss Cutney. Item six, approve superintendent's employment contract. >> A motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Item seven, approve superintendent evaluation instrument. >> Motion by Dr. Butler, second by Miss Font Ridley. Discussion, Mr. Triplet. >> Yeah, I'm going to probably vote no on it. And not because I think the superintendent's doing a bad job. I think he's doing a great job. I think the numbers have been well. I just would like it to be more based on data
007than on some of the strategy aspect of it and I can understand the reason why they have it the way they do, but I I just pref I would prefer that. Um so just I just want didn't want it to be thought that I was voting no because he's doing a bad job. I just think that the you know that evaluation instrument could be a little more data driven in my opinion. >> Miss Tibbleton. >> Yeah. I want to open that conversation up. Mr. You mentioned that on Monday. Um and and I did take a look at it over the last few days. When when you are, for example, objective one, how would you rephrase that? >> Just take off everything but increase, third grade, whatever it I think everything before the word increase. >>
008Just the end result period. >> The end result. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. Any other discussion? No. All right. So, all in favor say I. >> Any opposed? All right. [clears throat] Motion carries. >> Item eight, approve contract number 26268 related to school safety. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. I don't guess we can discuss that. Okay. Sorry. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Item nine, consent agenda. >> Motion by Miss Henderson, second by Mr. Triplet, and I think we have a public forum speaker on this. >> We do, Madam Chair. We have one public forum speaker on an item on the consent agenda. It's Leah Hill. If you would just state your name and county of residence and you'll have three minutes. >> Remember
009your name? >> My name is Leah Hill. And >> where do you go to school? >> I go to Sequoia Elementary. >> And why are you here? I am here because I hope you vote for fake grass. >> We are voting in favor or we are encouraging the board to vote in favor of the artificial turf on her playground. >> What else do you want to say? Tell >> one, you don't get splinters. Two, it it's softer. and three. >> Everybody likes it. >> Thank you for coming. >> If you have questions, >> I'm here if you have questions. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Leah. You did you did a fabulous job. [applause] All right. So, we have a motion by Miss Henderson and a second by Mr. Triplet. Discussion. All in favor say
010I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 10, approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J190, code of behavior and discipline as amended. >> A motion by Miss Henderson, a second by Miss Templeton. Reverend Betler. >> So, uh, we we're voting on which version? I want to make sure we voting on the >> that the policy 190. >> Yeah, there's two versions. So, we need to specify, >> right? [clears throat] I believe if the caption reads as amended, does that address the revision? >> Is that Miss Cody? >> There there are two versions attached to the agenda. the original version and then version two that we discussed. >> So, so if we want the amended version, the motion would be need to be for the amended. >> I would Thank you, Madam Chair.
011I mean, I think I think Miss Lner and I both were under the impression that we were just going to the one version, the final version. Uh so, so I would say as amended does cover the latest version. Okay. So yes, >> that is apparently correct. Let me double check, but I believe that is the case. >> But it is it is the latest version. It incorporates the uh the language that was suggested by Reverend Butler. >> Um [clears throat] >> yes. Yeah, that that's the version that we had the discussion on Monday night. The the red line. Yeah, >> that's correct. >> Yeah. So, that would be the motion is for that version. >> Correct. Yes. The latest version. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So, version two. All right. >> Okay. All right. So,
012Miss Templeton. >> Yes. Uh, Miss Lner, I was under the impression based on our conversation on Monday that the uh, procedures would also be posted on here so that we could see that change or is that just going to go live? Miss Templeton, madame board, uh, madam board, madam chair, members of the board, it's been a long day. Uh, thank you for that question. So, we don't generally attach procedure as a voting item. um to not set that as a precedent to vote on procedure. So the language you all saw that included that provision that any future subsequent changes to the procedure would necessitate communication to the board. That language is loaded. It is ready to go in the procedure, but we cannot publish it until this goes live. >> This goes through. >> Okay.
013Wonderful. Thank you for that. >> All right. So we have a motion by Miss Henderson and a second by Miss Templeton. Any other discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10B. Approve second reading to rescend Knox County Board of Education Policy J 191, Misbehaviors and Disciplinary Options. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 C. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J 193. Student suspension as amended. Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 D. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J1 195 student disciplinary hearing authority as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second
014by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 10 E approves second reading of Knots County Board of Education policy J1 196 admission of suspended or expelled students as amended. A motion by Reverend Butler, second by Mr. Triplet. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10F approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J211 harassment, intimidation, and bullying or cyber bullying as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10G. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J212, student conduct and safe relocation of students as amended. >> So, a motion by Dr. Butler, a second by Miss Henderson. Bless you, [snorts] Miss Templeton. Any discussion? All
015in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10H. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J250 bus conduct as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10. I approve. Second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J280 alternative school programs as amended. >> Motion by Reverend Butler. Second by Mr. Triplet. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 J. Approve second reading of Knots County Board of Education policy J281, alternative school services as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10K. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J320, independent evaluation of students as
016amended. >> A motion by Reverend Butler, second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 L. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J330, Student Counseling Program as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 11A. approved Tennessee Department of Education fiscal year 2027 turnaround action grant 6 in the amount of 1,328,728 for Austin East Magnet High School, Northwest Middle School, Vine Middle Magnet School, Sarah Green Magnet Academy, Green Magnet Academy, and Maynard Elementary School. >> Motion by Reverend Butler, second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 11B approve East Tennessee Foundation Jablonsky Family Memorial Fund Grant in the amount of $3,800 for support of
017families with unpaid meal debt. >> Motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Font Ridley. Discussion or Tim. Okay, Miss Timolton, sorry. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 11 C. Approve Isitech Systems LLC. Isitech STEM committee grant in the amount of $5,000 for Green Magnet Academy. >> A motion by Reverend Butler, a second by Miss Fontno Ridley. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 12A. approved contract with Enixster Incorporated for provision of networking materials at an estimated annual cost of $1 million for the term of October 1, 2026 through September 30th, 2027, which may be extended for four additional years. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, and second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 12B. approved contract with
018Canon USA Incorporated pursuant to the provision of the cooperative purchasing agreement for provision of a print management software at a cost of $500,000 for the term of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2029. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Templeton. Discussion all in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 12 C approve increase to contract with UES Professional Solutions 19 LLC for provision of construction testing services in the amount of $126,195 [snorts] for construction testing and inspections for the new Farragate Area Elementary School. >> Motion by Miss Morgan, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 13A approved fiscal year 2026 budget line item transfers for the period of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026 in the amount of $90,527. >> A motion by
019Dr. Butler, second by Mr. Triplet. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 13B approved conceptual design package for work at Farragate Middle School at an estimated cost of $111,300 utilizing a combination of innovative school model funds and internal school funds. >> Motion by Miss Morgan, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 13C. Approve waiver application for English English language arts curriculum in grades 9 through 12. >> Motion by Miss Templeton, second by Dr. Butler. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 13D. Approve memorandum of understanding with Knox Education Association. Excuse me. Knox County Education Association as re recommended by the collaborative conferencing management team for a period of three years. Motion by Dr. Butler, second by Miss Fontno Ridley. Discussion.
020All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 13E. Approved 2027 2028 school year calendar. >> Motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. Moving on to public forum. Mr. Wright. [snorts] Thank you, Madam Chair. The first speaker we have this evening is Candace Bannister. You would just state your name and county of residence. You'll have three minutes after you get the podium back up. >> I've never moved a podium up before. [laughter] Usually, it's the other way. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> In the summer of 201 oh Candace Manister, Knots County resident. In the summer of 2015, our family went to Italy. The temperature was over 100 degrees every day. One night in Rome, we had tickets to go
021to the Vatican Museum, which means we stood in the late afternoon sun until time to enter. We enjoyed the museum and all it had to offer. We found a place to have dinner afterwards and then walked back to the Vatican to get a taxi to go back to our apartment. We'd had a long day. It was late. We were hot, sticky, tired, and ready to go. Being dramatic, our older son staggered to the queue, threw his hand in the air, and well, taxi. Um, a lady tourist in a group already there crisply let us know that they were there first and had called a taxi and would be getting that taxi. I assured her we knew that they were ahead of us and that my son was just being silly. The woman [clears throat] was
022extra crispy when she said loudly, "Good." and punctuated it with her head. I just smiled and nodded and said, "Okay." Okay. I mean, as a second grade teacher, I'm not going to be cutting in line. Okay. So, unknown to me, Will was standing just over my left shoulder. He commented that the lady had been rude, and he didn't like to see somebody talk to me like that. I told him not to worry. Maybe she'd had a long day, too. Turns out, two taxis showed up at once, and we all left about the same time. But after that night, anytime somebody said something that we all agreed with, Will would say, "Good and punctuate it with his head." And every time he did it, I was reminded of that night and how he stood behind me
023and showed his support. I need you all to know who I lost. Will was real. He was my child. I had prayed for him for nine years. He finally arrived and completed our family in the most perfect way. He was kind, funny, smart, a good friend to others. He included everybody. He hugged me before leaving the house. Even as a teenager, he helped out in the kitchen. He loved shopping for clothes. He wasn't competitive. He liked to have fun. and he had developed anxiety. After often since losing Will, people tell me how strong I am, how they could never make it if they lost a child. And the truth is, I'm not strong. I've learned a broken heart still beats sometimes, even when you wish it would not. Also, I don't have much choice. So,
024I get up, I get dressed, and I try again each day. I did not choose this life, but I do my best to be my best every day. Coming to speak to you as part of doing my best. When I walk up here to tell you our story each month, I picture Will just over my left shoulder. I tell our story because he's not here to tell it. I tell our story because what happened to our family should have never happened. No KCS employee should have ever felt that they could bully, harass, and intimidate Will the man the way that that man did. And no superintendent should ever think that an admin who abused Will should be called the chief of anything. None of you board members who care about children should sit here for
025almost two years hearing our story of abuse without doing anything. Honestly, I'm confused, appalled, and heartbroken by your continued lack of action over our 16-year-old child being bullied, harassed, and intimidated by his lead administrator who had a known history of this behavior before he was ever placed at Farragate High School. Please do something. Next is Brandy Jerel. If you would just state your name and county of residents, you'll have three minutes. >> Thank you. Brandy Gerrell, Knox County, senior vice president of value teachers. It's been 1 year and 6 months since we learned that our 403b was being frozen and KCS would begin the RFQ process and six months since the new 403b plan has taken effect. I'd like to reflect on that process and ask how things are going and what the future of
026the 403b looks like. In fall 2024, KCS put out an RFQ for a plan administrator. The bid was awarded to a financial f service firm administering their own plan. A company tasked with overseeing itself and maintaining compliance. It was said to be chosen based on cost, even though that could not have been a factor in an RFQ. After their willingness to work with us and your approval, we happily continue to serve and support our clients. For that, we are truly grateful. Our clients feel the same. They um express relief, thankfulness, and trust that promises would be kept. However, the transition revealed gaps. The scope of responsibility pre proved more than the selected company could fulfill which led KCS to hire a separate plan administrator plan scope 360. In the end, a second company was brought
027in to do the very job the RFQ was meant to fill. We currently have a company that was not presented in or was not a part of the RFQ fulfilling the very job the RFQ was placed for. I'm still unclear on how that decision was made. What process was used to select this plan administrator for such an important role. Now with an independent plan administrator in place, the door is open for a system that will allow multiple providers. Excuse me. As my husband Matt shared, this is common and important in many other Tennessee districts. Plans scope 360 is equipped today to manage and maintain new accounts for multiple providers. Yet, currently only one provider is being allowed to have new accounts. So, 6 months in, how's it going? In the last six months before we
028were frozen, Value Teachers helped 226 new employees with new accounts while continuing to service our 3,119 clients. Before the freeze, my team averaged 3,000 free face-to-face personalized retirement consultation each school year. Yes, 3,000. Is that same level of service being provided today? I have no doubt that um the plan administrator has helped the district with compliance, payroll, and documents. But has it helped our staff? Has it limited them? When it comes to retirement, out of sight is often out of mind. I ask that you keep researching the 403b and ask this crucial question. Has limiting providers truly protected and benefited employees? Thank you. Next is Gavin Gambuza. If you would just state your name and county of residents, you'll have three minutes. Good even Gavin Gambooza, Knox County. Good evening. I'd like to begin by
029congratulating Miss Henderson on her primary victory for mayor. It's a remarkable feat to secure a promotion while the very department you you represent is also being handed a public eviction notice. As for the rest of the board, well, Tuesday night was quite a reckoning. Usually, you have to wait for graduation to see people leaving the building, but it seems the voters decided to grant several of you early dismissals. You are now in a lame duck period. The pressure of the Nets campaign is gone. And that means you finally have the luxury of being honest without checking with your political consultants first. For three months, I have asked for an apology for Triny Gibson, who vanished in 1976. For three months, I have been met with a wall of silence. We all know where that wall
030comes from. I look at law director Gary Dupler and I see the architect of that fortress. I recognize Mr. Dupler is paid well to ensure the district never has to say we're sorry. But the voters didn't elect a lawyer. They elected you. Mr. Dupller has spent decades from the Hoffmeister era to this very moment advising the board that an apology is a political liability rather than a human necessity. You've allowed the law director's fear of a lawsuit to become the board's substitute for a conscience. The t the cost of institutional protection Tuesday night proved the strategy of hide and wait doesn't work anymore. The public is tired of a school system that hides behind its attorneys. It's a shame that the law legal shield g Mr. Dupler decided was so heavy it ended up pinning
031several of you to the floor on election night. You've treated the disappearance of a child like a clerical error to be managed. You've spent millions on safety consultants and yet you w you won't spend 10 seconds on a formal apology for a student who never made it home from the school bus. You have 90 days left in these seats. You can spend them being the last defenders of a 50-year-old coverup, or you can finally act like the leaders instead of def defectors before you hand over your keys in August. Break the streak of cowardice. Acknowledging that Knots County Schools failed Triny Gibson doesn't make you vulnerable. It makes you human. It is something the district hasn't been since 1976. Give the Gibson family the apology they deserve while they have the authority to do so.
032I'll be back next month and month after that. Next is Margot Kern. If you would please state your name and county of residential, I have three minutes. >> Marggo Kern, Knox County. My name is Margot Kern. I'm a mom of three boys in Knox County schools. As you all are aware, Tennessee recently passed a law requiring school districts to create a policy for reducing screen time in K through 5. 15 other states are currently debating similar laws. These laws respond to growing evidence that onetoone computers are harming students learning and well-being. They reflect the concerns of frustrated parents who set screen limits at home only to find them undermined during the school day. And they speak to a society that is increasingly unwilling to hand over its children's time, attention, and data to for-profit tech
033companies. My fellow parents and I are here today to make the case that an overreiance on educational technology in our schools has been detrimental to our students. We will also address common resistance to scaling back educational technology. And finally, asked the board to consider creating a policy that return screenbased technologies to their proper place as tools to be used intentionally and sparingly, not as the default environment through which all learning occurs. Knox County Schools spend substantially on edtech, Chromebooks for 60,000 students, device repairs, software licenses, digital curriculum, and diagnostic tools, and additional IT staff. Given this investment, one would expect strong evidence that edtech improves learning. However, the data suggests otherwise. Across every major international student assessment, the more time students spend on computers at school, the lower their test scores. Here in the US,
034the pattern is the same. National scores in both fourth and eighth grade rose steadily for years before dropping, sometimes sharply, after each state's large-scale adoption of digital technologies. Constant access to the internet also provides ample opportunity for students to access inappropriate content, even with website blockers and filters in place. A 2023 common sense media survey found that of students who have accessed pornography, four in 10 watched it during the school day and half did so on school-based uh schoolisssued devices. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted a boy in Witchah who accessed over 13,000 YouTube videos at school over just a few months. The content included violence, sexualized, and other inappropriate material despite the districts enabling YouTube's restricted mode, a setting that Knox County Schools currently relies on to protect students. Imagine that the school
035day could be a reprieve from the onslaught of negative content the internet serves our children. Instead, it can sometimes feel as though schools are working against families by requiring students to use devices for multiple hours a day and then once again when they get home. If these devices were optional, many families in Knox County would not choose them for their children. We are not anti-technology and we embrace it when used with a clear purpose and proper safeguards in place. We look forward to working with the board as they create a forward-thinking policy that promotes more intentional screen use in our school. Thank you. [applause] Next is Aaron Pate. Oops. >> Erin Pate, Knox County. I was a teacher in the Knox County school system for 10 years, and I'm now a Knox County parent. I
036taught during COVID and the year after when onetoone technology was rolled out. Um, and at the time, it was the right thing to do. It's what we did to keep kids learning um with so many unknowns. But we aren't in those same circumstances anymore. Um, and when we know better, we do better. The rise of one-to-one technology in the Knox County elementary classrooms has outpaced what we know about how young children actually learn best. While devices like tablets and Chromebooks can be use useful tools, research consistently shows that heavy screenbased learning is associated with weaker attention, lower academic performance, and increased behavioral concerns. Young learners are still developing executive functioning skills like focus, self-regulation, and sustained attention. Placing a screen in front of them often shifts their role from active participant to passive consumer. Tapping,
037swiping, and clicking do not engage the brain the same way as physi physically manipulating materials, talking through ideas, and solving problems collaboratively. Equally important is the social cost of technology of onetoone technology. Elementary age children are in a critical development window for building language, communication, and interpersonal skills. When practice with the standards is dominated by individual screen use, opportunities for peer interaction are significantly reduced. Instead of negotiating roles and play, explaining their thinking, or learning how to collaborate, students are isolated in similar digital experiences. Kids create knowledge through conversation, shared experiences, and guided interaction with others. A classroom full of students with faces and screens, even if quietly on task, is missing a key ingredient to learning. human connection. Hands-on activities also naturally foster collaboration. Oh, did I just read that? No. Um, when students
038work together to complete a task, they must share ideas, listen to others, and problem solve in real time. This kind of peer interaction strengthens both academic understanding and social emotional skills. Students learn to take turns, navigate disagreements, and articulate their thinking. skills that are essential not only for school success but for life beyond the classroom which I know is part of the Knox County strategic plan. These interactions cannot be replicated through isolated screenbased tasks no matter how well-designed the program may be. Additionally, digital programs often limit insight into how the a child arrived at an answer, focusing more on outcomes than the learning process itself. Ultimately, the goal is not to completely eliminate technology, but to use it intentionally and developmentally appropriate ways. I would like to see Knox County follow the research and in
039onetoone technology. And lastly, years ago, I completed the required uh year-long reading course that Knox County provided on the science of reading. While many districts are just now following the science of reading, we were ahead of the game and kids and teachers are better for it. We did it then, we can do it now. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Amanda Regel, >> please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Amanda Reel, Knox County. Um, I'm also a former KCS teacher and a current KCS parent. And I didn't read Erin's comments or anything, but we have so many of the same things to say. Um, I'm grateful for the chance to speak and I agree. I'm grateful that so many board members um and members of leadership in
040Knox County Schools have a no better do better mindset and we have yes seen that with science of reading. Um so I'm really pleased she brought that up. Uh what I want to talk about is why maybe edtech is not delivering on its promise. Um and that has to do with how our brains were designed to learn. So we know that we need sustained attention, what we call embodiment and human connection. Um, research shows us that when kids are on computers at school, they spend between 24 and 38 minutes of every hour off task. Uh, when they're alone on a device, the average is six minutes before drifting into distraction. Um, and we're learning that this isn't a failure of willpower, it's conditioning because in their everyday life, children are using screens for entertainment, switching
041back and forth between apps and video and content. I have a seven-year-old. I can't believe how much she knows how to do on an iPad. It's kind of gross. Um so it's unreasonable for them to then go into a classroom and use these same devices for that deep sustained attention in order to drive learning. Um we also know that deep learning is embodied and this comes from decades of educational and edsych research. Meaning the body and the brain are engaged together. So a really simple example of this is students who take notes by hand consistently retain more information. Even for very young readers, handwriting strengthens their reading by reinforcing letter recognition and sound symbol connections. Um, so we also know that if you read on a screen as opposed to on paper, uh, you're more
042likely to do shallow skimming, not like deep comprehension of the text you're looking at. Returning to some of the more analog tactile practices like handwriting, physical books, manipulatives, hands-on activities, um, is a really powerful way to restore deep learning for our kids. And finally, this is really dear to my heart as a former um eighth grade teacher. I love my weird middle schoolers. Um learning is relational and the connection between a teacher and a student. Uh eye contact, subtle cues, shared attention creates a biological synchrony. I didn't always want biological synchrony with middle schoolers, but I had it. Um and it's not strictly necessary, but that relationship accelerates learning dramatically. screens interrupt that connection and place a barrier between students and their teacher. Um, like Erin said, like Margot said, we we believe strongly that
043technology has an important place. Um, but we don't want it at the center of how our children are learning everything. Thanks you. Thank you for letting me speak. [applause] >> Erica Zur, >> hello Erica Zur. Knox County. Um, good evening. I'm a mom of two young boys, a former university professor and by day a technical professional specializing in data science and AI. Um, so I want to be clear given my profession. I am not anti-tech. I use AI extensively both personally and professionally. In fact, my husband makes fun of me because I ask AI about absolutely everything these days. He rolls his eyes. Um, so in my work, I see the incredible potential of these tools every day. And it's because of that, not in spite of that, that I'm here um today to advocate
044for an evidence-based approach to device integration in schools. Um I would like an approach that prioritizes cognitive development and clear boundaries on age appropriate utilization over raw digital consumption. Um and I don't believe a data-informed approach supports 1 to1 devices particularly at the lower grade levels. One of the most common arguments for onetoone devices is that students must have digital still skills to compete in the workforce. But as someone on the front lines, I can tell you the nature of work is shifting under our feet. It's shifting seismically in ways that no one understands. Um, and my job today, it's not just different than it was 10 years ago. There's a turnover in the core body of knowledge in my work every six months. There are new discoveries every week. So the best software engineers
045I know, they don't even write code anymore. They're purely interacting with AI in English to write their code. We're even seeing a move towards audio first interfaces where the digital skill looks like speaking and listening instead of typing and clicking. So I say all of this to show that we can't teach kids the tech skills they're going to need in the workforce. No one has any idea what those are going to be right now to be honest, right? So I think we really need to focus more on teaching them how to think and learn to learn, which I know everyone um everyone agrees with. I also wanted to quickly address some of the concerns around finances. I understand the concern that returning to more analog environments may be expensive. However, I don't think we can
046accept that argument without a clear accounting of our current edex spending. A multi-year phase out of one to1 devices would actually free up significant funds for reinvestment in um textbooks and hands-on materials. So again, um I'm really advocating for datadriven tech usage as a a data science and data professional. Um, I want our children to use computers when they provide a clear evidence-based benefit to the learning process for advanced subjects, special needs, specific lessons that truly gain from digital tools. Yes, let's use them. The system should provide those via maybe computer labs or a cart with with laptops. Um, but somewhere along the line, I think we shifted from teaching students about technology to teaching absolutely everything through technology, having it at the center as some of um the other speakers have stated. And that's
047a shift again that I think is particularly detrimental to the developmental needs of our younger students. So I would ask the board to look at the data, evaluate the evidence and ensure our focus is on learning to learn and the human skills that AI can never replace. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Lauren Fraser. >> Hi Lauren Fraser. Knox County. Yes, I'm Lauren Fraser. Um, I'm the mom of three children, including two girls, who currently attend our beloved Bearden Elementary. I'm also a past school counselor who had the privilege of working in Knox County Schools. Tonight, I'm here to ask the board to consider incorporating the following requests into their intentional screen use policy. While the state requires that the policy only reduce screen time in grades K through five, we believe the need exists across
048all grade levels. As local and national momentum continues to build towards scaling back excessive ed tech, we urge the board to think ahead and extend considerations to later grades as well. First, we ask that the board eliminate the use of digital devices through kindergarten through 2 grade. Children at this age are at a critical window for developing foundational skills such as handwriting, reading, and basic numeracy. These skills are best built through tactile hands-on experiences and human connection. Next, we ask that the board encourage schools to utilize laptop, excuse me, laptop carts and/or computer labs for third through fifth grade while also reducing the use to 1:1 devices. In grades K through 8, we ask that homework assignments be offered in a paper format and not require internet connectivity so that all devices may be left
049at school. in all grades. We asked the board to prohibit schools from using screen time as a reward, incentive, or behavioral reinforcement for students and from using screen time during indoor recess. We asked the board to provide schools with the best practices of technology use and instruction and to provide guidance on how to use student devices most effectively along with analoges alter excuse me analog alternatives where possible. We ask the board to regularly track and report students time spent on one one devices districtwide by grade level and on which specific online application. We also ask that student screen time usage be shared with parents on a weekly basis. We asked the board to prohibit YouTube and all grades while preserving teacher access for instructional use. Students should not have open access to a tool designed
050to capture and redirect their attention. Finally, given the generative AI systems that they can produce unpredictable outputs, simulate human conversation, collect and process sensitive student data, and shape how students learn, write, and reason. We ask that parents of all students be made aware of any generative AI access given to students, whether embedded in a tool or rolled out in an update. We truly support the mission of Knox County Schools and believe these changes could help bring about its vision as well. Thank you so much for your time and for listening and engaging with us tonight. Thank you. [applause] Christy Angelo, if you would just state your name and county of residence. >> Sure. >> Uh Christy Angelo. I live in I live in Knox County. I've got uh four little ones with my wife. Uh
051we have two at Northshore Elementary and two in preschool. Uh I am going to speak in favor of those who came before me on the topic of technology, but I did want to say first, thank you all for the work that you do at the school board. No one really comes to these meetings to say keep it on, keep it on. Most people come to say stop. And I count myself among the many. So I apologize, but um but really we love Northshore. Um we love the teachers our our kids have been blessed to have, but what we don't love is the way that technology has seeped into every facet of their experience. Uh my oldest is 8 years old. The next one who's in kindergarten is six years old. And I think that we
052have just become way too comfortable with the use of screens in these kids experience. I don't think anybody did this nefariously. I think just like every other aspect of our lives, we believed the lies that screens would help. And just like every other aspect of our lives, I don't think that they have. Um, if we do an honest accounting of the way that we engage with screens in our own lives, I think we'd realize that as a culture, we've lost something significant, if we just look back on the past decades when we did not have them. And so, unfortunately, we can't seem to do that honest reckoning. And now we're allowing our kids to fall prey to the same sins that we've not been able to get ourselves out of. Um, just a couple examples
053that I wanted to throw out there and these were hinted on. I'm not going to go toward the data side. I think a lot of that was offered and I would implore this committee to please look into the data. It's compelling and it is not on the side of technology when it comes to the proliferation of technology across all aspects of uh elementary education. Um my kids go to lunch uh every day uh but once a week so 20% of lunchtime there is a show on and they're encouraged to be quiet so that everybody can see the show. Okay. Uh we know that kids need that energy to get out to talk. That's one of the times to do it. but instead we're watching Tom and Jerry and we wouldn't want to distract ourselves from
054the plot. Uh we also have screens for indoor recess as an option. Every child is going to take a bend toward that screen and I get it. They're clean, sleek, and easy rather than getting out paint and the difficult things. But if we think about nationally, we have scratched and clawed our way to figure out how do we get more fizzed back into the curriculum? How do we get more art back into the curriculum? it is right there for the taking every rainy day, but we're surrendering it to screens and I hope we'd rethink that. Um, center time, which is where they can go from one station to the next. Uh, screens are often allowed to be a center in and of themselves, which is really a shame given um, the amount they're already spending
055on that. Again, we all know how addictive these things are. I've not heard compelling evidence for them. I hear they help us track kids education. Let's just put kids in tracks if that's what we care about. I hear them say that they advance critical skills. We had very compelling evidence from data scientists and others who know better. Uh and then they also um advance better content and yet the results don't seem to be speaking that screens have a place. It's just not where we've put them right now. And I hope we'll take this opportunity to rethink it. Thank you. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Tiara Lady Wilson. Please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. Oh, shoot. All right. My name is Tiara Lady Wilson and I'm Knox County. Um, last
056December and just last week, I emailed several individuals in leadership in Knox County Schools asking for proper grievance processes for our executives and our administrators at our local high schools. Organizations are as strong as their weakest link. And there are several weak links within our Knox County schools. And specifically, I'm going to say Dr. Rob Spes at Austin East Magnet High School. I've looked on the internet. People have told me, "Oh, you come to the board meeting to do a grievance." But my own representative last year when I had a grievance said that you guys don't even get into HR issues. So then my question is again, how do we put paper to pen to officially put in grievances on the school level and not have to use a unbudsman? I don't need a unbudsman
057to write a grievance so that someone can be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Secondly, I am here today so that you can see her. This is Leilani Simone Wilson. This is my daughter who was forced by Rob Spees to be in the classroom with her asalent. Tonight, my son is at his senior sunset. Last year, my daughter didn't go to her senior sunset because of the experience that she had, but guess what? She had a mama who used that strength and that sadness that she had to fuel me. So, I stand here today to let you all know that when you all don't do your jobs, please understand that there are parents who will do the work. As of a couple of weeks ago, House Bill 1974 was passed on the Senate
058floor and Senate Bill 2285 was passed. And I cannot wait till the ink happens for our governor to sign where no more will principles make victims be in the classroom with people who physically and sexually assault them. All because Gary Drooper and [snorts] Shakovia won't allow you all to do what you you have been elected to do, which is to protect our children. And I would hope that just because Rob is your frat brother that no type of nepotism is happening to not hold him accountable for the things that he is doing. I think one too many schools that he keeps being shifted off to will show that he's not a strong link. He is definitely a weak one. [applause] That concludes public forum. All right, with that we are ajourned.