001Welcome to the board of education's December 4th, 2025 regular session meeting. Please stand as we observe a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Miss Font Ridley. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nationy for all. Okay. As announced at the work session, the strategic plan committee will meet on Monday, December 8th at 100 p.m. in this boardroom. Just a reminder that our January board meetings will be held the second week of January due to the holidays with the work session being on Monday, January 5th and the regular session being on Thursday, January 8th. As Superintendent Risewick noted on Monday, Knox County schools will be closed for winter break starting Monday, December 22nd through Thursday, January 1st. Teachers will report back to
002school on Friday, January 2nd for an inservice and students will be back in the classroom on Monday, January 5th. On behalf of the board, I want to wish all of our students, family, and staff a well-deserved break and a blessed holiday. Um, just a reminder to all of those in attendance tonight, we are glad you are here. Um, but sometimes it's difficult to hear when there's a lot of noise. So, if you do need to talk to the person beside you or take a phone call, we ask that you step out of the room to do so. Board members, you received an email yesterday regarding consent agenda item 5C3 related to a data sharing agreement with Columbia University regarding science curriculum. The university has requested some small changes to that agreement. So it has been
003withdrawn for this month and moved to the January agenda. Are there any requested changes to this agenda? >> So motion and a second. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Miss Cody. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Item five, consent agenda. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Templeton. Any discussions? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6A. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy C1 180, advertising and solicitation in schools as amended. >> Motion by Mr. triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6B. Approve first reading of Knots County Board of Education policy C1 181, political solicitation as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say
004I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6C. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy D190 payroll as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6D. Approve first reading of Knots County Board of Education policy G467 paid parental leave as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6E. Approve first reading of Knots County Board of Education policy G500 compensation guides and contracts for support personnel as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 6F. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy G570. Time schedules of classified
005personnel as amended. A motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Templeton. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 6G. Approve first read of Knox County Board of Education policy I 350 repeating high school courses as amended. Dr. Wilson, I do have a question. Is this one that we need to pass on first reading? Did we discuss that? >> I think we did. We actually had some communication from our counseling supervisors actually last year about this, but we're just now getting that correction to the policy. So, it would be current with our practice. >> I'll amend that motion to approve on first reading. >> All right. And Miss Henderson. Okay. All right. So we have a motion and a second to approve on first reading. All in favor say I.
006>> Any opposed? Motion is carries. >> 7A. Approve Tennessee Department of Education school turnaround program grant in the amount of $125,000 designated for use at Northwest Middle School. >> A motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7B. approved National Endowment for the Arts Grant in the amount of $20,000 with required inind matching funds in the amount of $20,000. >> A motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7 C. Approve Tennessee State Parks Conservancy grant in the amount of $1,275 for Chillhawi Intermediate School. Motion by Reverend Butler, second by Miss Bike. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 7D. Approved Knoxville Museum of Art Grant,
007the amount of $350 for Gibbs Middle School. >> Motion by Mr. Wright, second by Miss Spike. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7E. approve Angela Floyd schools grant the amount of $500 for Holston Middle School. >> Motion by Mr. Wright, a second by Miss Bite. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7F. Approve TVA learning environment grant in the amount of $10,213 for Rocky Hill Elementary School. >> Motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 7G approve Argusy Foundation and First Robotics Competition 118 sustainability grant in the amount of $2,800 for South High School. >> Okay, a motion by Mr. Wright, a second by Miss Spike. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any
008opposed? Motion carries. >> 7H. Approve Great Smoky Mountains National Park Education Program travel grant in the amount of $200 for Westview Elementary School. A motion by Miss Font Ridley, a second by Miss Spike. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 8A. Approved design contract with SME plus Busby Architects PC for the West High School Fest project in the amount of $11,500. >> Motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 9A. Approve Emerald Academy Charter School performance review. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 9B. Approve Knoxville Preparatory Charter School performance review. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion,
009Miss Spike. >> Thank you. Um, I would just like to point out that I I read through both of the Emerald Academy Charter School performance review and the Knoxville Preparatory. Um, it was nice to see that Emerald met expectations on everything. I just wanted to point out though that for Knox Prep, one thing that it was really concerning that they did not meet standard on many things and some of the things were falls far below standard. But one thing that really stuck out to me is um is the school protecting the rights of students with disabilities and it's checked as does not meet standards. So that's really concerning. Thank you. >> All right. Any other discussion? So we have a motion by Mr. Triplet and a second by Miss Henderson. All in favor say I.
010>> Any opposed? Motion carries. 9C approve charter school review committee appointments. >> Second >> motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion, Miss Henderson. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say I'll probably I will be voting no on this just because there's some individuals on here who have come to this body to speak adamantly against charter schools. So that is why I'll be voting no on this list. All right. So, we have a motion in a second. Do we want to do you want us to do a roll call vote? >> Dr. Butler, >> Miss Templeton, >> Miss Fontino Ridley, >> Miss Bike, >> Miss Morgan, >> Miss Henderson, >> Mr. Triplet, >> Mr. Wright, >> Miss Christie, >> yes. That's six yes votes and three no votes. >> So
011motion carries. >> 9D approved 2026 legislative priorities. Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson for discussion. And we have some public forum speakers. Mr. Rightight. We do. Thank you, Madam Chair. Several public forum speakers on this topic. If you could just please uh be respectful to the folks that are speaking at the podium. Um first is Ashley Garner. Ashley, if you would please state your name and county of residence. You'll have three minutes. Can you hear me? Is this good? Okay. Ashley Garner and I'm in Knox County. In 1847, Virginia passed a law that prohibited teaching African-Americans to read or write, published by imprisonment and fines for any white person caught doing so. In 1892, Richard Henry Pratt used the now well-known phrase to describe his philosophy of assimilation, kill the Indian and
012him and save the man. The ideas expressed in Pratt's speech were central to the development of residential boarding schools across the United States and Canada. In 1938, the Nazi Ministry for Science and Education issued an order that forbade Jewish children from attending public schools. As a result, Jewish children were forced into separate Jewishonly schools. By 1942, all such schools would be closed. In 1960, Ruby Bridges integrated William France Elementary. Upon her arrival, the student population left, as did all but one teacher. For a year, Ruby attended class alone. Frequently threatened by adults, one woman said she'd poison her, while another held up a black baby doll in a coffin. Ruby's parents were advised to only allow her to eat food brought from home. For her safety, she was also denied outdoor recess. She was only
0136 years old. In 1963, in an attempt to keep his promise of segregation, now tomorrow, forever. George Wallace, the governor of Alabama, blocked the door at the University of Alabama, restricting African-American students attempting to enter. In response, President JFK federalized the Alabama National Guard, who commanded Wallace to step aside. Looking back, we are or should be appalled by these injustices and the people in power perpetrating them. Denying education to groups deemed other or less than is a slippery slope. And historically, it's never the good guys restricting a child's right to an education. Furthermore, in 1982, the Supreme Court case Pier versus Stowe ruled that states cannot constitutionally deny undocumented children a free public K12 education. However, HB793 aims to do just that. I'm the parent of a third grader at Southnox Elementary. I'm on the
014site steering committee, the events and fundraising chair of the PTO, operate the PTO's social media account, and I'm a newly appointed member of the Knox County Schools region 3 teacher and family council. I'm very involved in SKE, and as such feel called to speak on this issue. I know that schools like our own could not recover from, among other things, the devastating cuts in funding this bill would bring. If HB793 passes, Knox County Schools are set to lose $3.8 million of federal funding. These drastic cuts will be simply too much for our already overburdened districts to bear. At present, Tennessee schools ranked 38th in the nation for teacher pay and 47th in the nation for dollars spent per child. The loss of federal funding coupled with staffing shortages would quite possibly break a school system
015already contending with over 1400 open positions with over 7,400 positions filled by teachers with emergency credentials. I see how hard the SK staff work every day to keep up with the essential tasks needed to run a classroom in a school. There are no more hours in the day for them to vet the legal statuses of their charges, especially in a district that struggles to retain teachers as is. Expecting faculty and staff to do more work when the only incentive is keeping children from a free education is a cruel and unusual job ask. I stand here before you tonight as an informed, educated, and concerned parent speaking out on this issue because I believe that education matters no matter the color of one's skin, ethnic, background, or legal status. I believe we cannot be a state
016championing pro-life values while also refusing to educate living children. I urge you to use your platform for good and to speak out against both the moral and economic implications of this bill. The philosopher RG Collingwood said, "The only clue to what man can do is what man has done." I implore you to look back on historical events, on the perpetrators of heinous acts, on the men and women we now view as villains, and to not join them on the wrong side of history. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Next is Karina Quinga. >> Karina, if you could just state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. Good evening, members of the Knox County School Board. Uh, thank you for your work and dedication. My name is Karina and I am a Knoxville
017City resident with an elementary age student. Um, currently I'm pursuing a masters in social work at Li Liberty University. Today I would like to discuss my heavy concerns over the implications of House Bill 0793 and Senate Bill 0836. Um, if passed, your committee would be forced to decide the implementation of this in our school district. Um, this law would remove undocumented children from our schools. I am for safe borders and an effective immigration system. I am not for children being denied access to education. I believe this bill and the lawsuits that proceed would be a distraction to the goals of our school district and the educational interests of the parents in our county. Undocumented people in Tennessee pay state and local taxes. So in essence, the state would be double dipping if they forced these
018parents to pay approximately $9,000 upfront for their children's education. In Knox County School District, approximately 90% of school funding is from state and local taxes. Therefore, these undocumented residents are contributing. It it is oppressive to take these folks tax dollars and disallow their children in education. Some of these minors have temporary visas, work visas starting at age 14 that have to re be renewed every two years. The United States citizen and immigration services is always backed up and it could take months to get a visa in the mail. Some scenarios could look like the following. A student arrives after school has started for the year and the student would now have to be enrolled midschool year. They would then need to be brought up to the level of other students. What kind of burden would
019this add to our already struggling teachers? What will happen if this bill is dismantled in a few years? Several district districts would be faced with the challenges of having to bring these kids up to grade level. What is this going to do to our state testing scores? I also believe this bill will have a negative effect on the hearts and minds of teachers as they navigate the loss of children in their classrooms. I foresee teachers striking up against a system, an educational system that no longer believes in education for all. The premise of this bill is the argument that English as a second language, ESL, is a financial burden to the state. But if you consider that many of these kids have siblings who are citizens, this would mean that the need would still be
020out there to support these children and their families as they navigate learning English as a second language. We cannot punish innocent children to move political agendas of certain individuals who believe placing 10,000 kids on the street during school hours is the best solution for our state. Thank you all for your time. [applause] >> Thank you. Next is Richard Cobble. Richard, if you would just state your name and county of residential. I have three minutes. >> Good evening. My name is the Reverend Richard Cobalt. I'm a resident of Knox County. I am the senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Knoxville. This past Sunday, I published an editorial in the Knox News Sentinel about tonight's meeting. I would like to read an abbreviated version to to you now. This past Sunday, my congregation at Westminster Presbyterian
021Church along with Christian communities around this town celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. Now, four days later, the school board is holding a vote on whether or not to pass a legislative priority, affirming that public schools exist to educate all children in the district. As a faith leader in this community, I want to add my voice to the growing number of concerned citizens asking our school board to vote yes on this legislative priority. As a minister, I want to point out that care of children and immigrants is at the root of our faith, especially in the Christmas season. Jesus himself was an immigrant child. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary were traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem when Jesus was born because a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that the world
022should be registered. Moreover, in the Gospel of Matthew, when the jealous tyrant Herod sought to kill all the children in and around Bethlehem, Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. So Jesus was a migrant child twice over and in the second instance a refugee fleeing persecution. He is not alone in our tradition. Migration is at the center of our faith because the people of God have so often been immigrants. Care of those who migrate to our land is commanded by our faith. The book of Leviticus states, "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress them. The foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the native born among you. You shall love
023the foreigner as yourself. For you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. So in this season, as Christians across this town look to the coming of the migrant Christ child, let us make sure we care for all the children among us. I pray that our school board votes yes on this legislative priority. [applause] Thank you. Next is Minda Papeps Begley. If you would just state your name and county residential, I have three minutes. >> Hey there. Good evening. Minda Paps and Begley, Knox County School Board, District 1. I want to be transparent from the start. House Bill 793 does not affect my personal or professional life in any tangible way. I've been a geriatric occupational therapist for 16 years. My twin boys aren't yet in the public school system, and my family has lived in
024Tennessee for generations. So, why am I here? Because civic responsibility sometimes ask ordinary people to step up into unfamiliar rooms and take a seat. A few months ago, that's what I did. I walked into a public school strong meeting, eight maybe 10 strangers in a small boardroom discussing legislation that threatens the foundation of public education. House Bill 793 was at the center of that concern. As I sat there, I knew I would do anything in my power to protect those children and [snorts] all children who would be at the receiving end of blasphemous legislation such as this. My parents, who have both passed, taught me what human decency looks like. One lesson echoes clearly. When people in power try to convince you that some of your neighbors matter less than others, that's when you pay
025the closest attention. And I'm certainly paying attention, as are many of my friends, neighbors, and Knox County residents. For years, we've heard lawmakers target marginalized communities with the same reassurance. That won't affect you. This isn't about your family. You're safe. That message is designed to keep people quiet. It asks us to doubt our instincts and our responsibility to one another. Martin E. Mhler, a Lutheran pastor reflecting after World War II, warned that danger doesn't arrive all at once. It arrives in the moments when ordinary people look the other way because the harm isn't aimed at them. I don't believe that looking away reflects Tennessee's values and it doesn't reflect mine. I'll admit I did wonder until yesterday in fact whether this was truly my fight whether others were more directly impacted, more qualified, more entitled
026to speak. But then I returned to a simple truth. We don't rank who is worthy of speaking up and we don't rank the worthiness of our children. Nobody's worth is conditional. Every child in this community is equally deserving of a free education. No exceptions. The Supreme Supreme Court affirmed that more that than four decades ago, more than four decades ago, and the principle still stands. Public schools must remain places where every child is welcome, protected, and encouraged to dream. And that's why I'm addressing you tonight. Our school board, the leaders, we elected to safeguard the future of all our children. You, too, once walked in this unfamiliar room, chose to take a seat, and made an oath to protect all Knox County children. And tonight, I'm simply asking you to keep that promise. To reassure
027every child that their dreams matter. To reassure every family that their child's future matters. To reassure a community that we have not lost our moral compass and will not look the other way. I'm humbly asking you to vote yes on a legislative priority that guarantees free education for all children. Thank you, [applause] >> David Gorman. I would just state your name in county residents. >> It's my favorite thing. [clears throat] [clears throat] Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this evening. My name is Dave Gorman and I live here in Knox County. I've been teaching science to seventh graders here since 2001. I want to speak tonight a bit about the word legacy. I used to think it meant things like signposts or reminders of a life or career, the evidence of your
028passage through a job or a community, things like awards or prestige or honors. My understanding has changed over the years, though, and now I understand it more in terms of the effect of your life on the lives of others. As a teacher, I've had daily opportunities to impact a couple of thousand kids in that time. And not just through the science lessons that I teach. I work to help them see the world as just and fair and full of opportunities for success and satisfaction. I want them to see themselves clearly in a healthy, happy future. I want that for all of them. That's not so unusual. In the same way, y'all have chosen to broaden your impact through your chosen vacation, through public service, through your faith or family. These things leave their own legacy
029in their wake. We're at a challenging time in our country's history. And I find myself constantly thinking about the legacy that we're leaving behind for folks to dissect and debate as they try to understand what it was like in American society in general and public schools in particular in this century. Some things like vouchers will be hard to explain or justify. I want you to consider the opportunity before you now to leave a legacy of leadership and kindness and compassion and inclusion and be the kind of school board that stands up and makes clear that you firmly and clearly support the education of all of our students without qualification. I ask that you make a strong statement that lets our community and our state know that the students in Knox County are provided with support
030and energy and the resources to succeed without exception. You swore an oath and we have a job to do. Those words from you, your legacy. They're watching. They're hoping. They're counting on you. Thank you, [applause] >> Dwayne EMR. [applause] Dwayne EMR. Please state your name and county of residence. >> Thank you very much. My name is Dwayne Emert. I live in District 6. Betsy Henderson is my school board representative and I'm a retired public school teacher of 39 years. Even though I'd prefer being home tonight with my dog, getting ready to travel to Kingsport tomorrow to meet with 82 retired teachers, I'm here because I want to speak my truth, what I feel is important. For one, it goes without saying that parents, teachers, students need the backing of their school boards. Secondly, parents, students,
031and school boards need to acknowledge the critical role teachers play in their classrooms. We build relationships that follow these students for the rest of their lives. And when I taught, I knew some of the relationships, but I didn't know all of them. It is always humbling to me when a student thanks me for what I did in that classroom that I wasn't even aware that I did. It could be, you know, socioeconomic. It could be giving a child a dollar for lunch. could be lots of things teachers do that are not in the job description that makes this bill egregious to me. HB183. I also was one of those students that had those relationships with their teachers and I can name every teacher I ever had and what that teacher did for me. That's important.
032My p purpose here is not political. I'm an advocate for the power of student teacher relationships. All children deserve the chance to experience a positive role model in their lives. If if if it doesn't come from their parents, they turn to their teachers. We know that. One question arises constantly as I travel and meet retired teachers. They asked me, "What will happen to the children removed from our public schools because of House Bill 793?" I don't know. I haven't heard a plan. That's the answer. There is no plan. It's just to remove these children from a public classroom. And that is wrong. My god, this is ridiculous that I'm standing here. I'm going to uh end up really quick with a note from my student that teaches constitutional law in South Carolina. Thanks so much
033for first inspiring me to think big. You made a huge difference in my life. I hope we can stay in touch. And he dedicated this book to the teachers of Clinton, Tennessee. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Noah Monores, >> please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Yeah. Good afternoon. Whoa, little dog. Good afternoon. My name is Noi Monareees and I'm a public health educator here in Knox County. Having been born and raised in this community, I've seen firsthand how equitable education transforms lives. When young people of all backgrounds receive the education they deserve, families can envision less stressful futures, teens can dream of meaningful careers and longstanding long-standing cycles of poverty and oppression can finally be disrupted. Although our region has endured decades of underinvestment and persistent health
034challenges, we've slowly begun regaining stability. Recent improvements in literacy and academic achievement are a tremendous accomplishment. Yet, significant disparities between student groups remain. Knox County consistently performs slightly better than the state average across educational attainment, reading proficiency, and overall district performance, but slightly better is not enough. Our county is uniquely positioned to uplift the entire region to pave the way for sustainable success and groundbreaking progress. To do that, we must fully acknowledge e education for all as a foundation of community health and prosperity. I'm here today because HB0793 threatens that foundation. If passed, it will unfairly discriminate against students and widen the educational gaps we have worked so hard to shrink by pressuring youth to enter the workforce without essential knowledge and skills. This bill would undermine our economy and weaken our community's long-term stability.
035We would almost certainly see increases in substance misuse, unintended pregnancies, and justice system involvement, issues we already struggled to address. Knox County was recently recognized as an advancing district, rising from among the lowest performing districts in the state in less than three years. This progress should be strengthened, not stalled. Ensuring that education remains equitable and accessible is one of the most effective ways to secure economic growth, social cohesion, and overall community well-being. Tonight, we have an opportunity to choose a better path, to reject harmful policy and model what true community care can actually look like. I urge you to protect our future and defend equal access to education for all. Your decision will shape what Knox County represents for generations to come. I ask you to vote yes and pass legislative priority six, free education
036for all children. Thank you and I yield the remainder of my time to the chair. [applause] Thank you. >> Eldora Fitz Simmons. If you would please state your name and county. >> Eldora Fitz Simmons. >> Just a minute. Carly, can you adjust the podium down a little bit? Mr. Gorman's pretty tall, so >> I'm obviously not used to microphones. >> Okay. Am I losing my time? No. [laughter] Okay. I'm Eldora Fitz Simmons. I am I live in Knoxville in district 2. Um, I urge you to vote yes on this legislative priority opposing HB793 and depose any other oppose any other legislative seeking to deny children a tuitionfree education. I speak as a mother, a grandmother, a great-g grandandmother, and a great great grandmother. Also, as a retired licensed clinical social worker, I worked for 15
037years at least at John Tarlton Home. My work has been about working to protect children, to help children to grow, to learn and develop. These are disadvantaged children. I can It's hard for me to even imagine them not any child, any child not having the opportunity to go to school and learn and not be worried about anything except getting along at school with teachers, getting their homework done, and learning and growing. This is a such an important part of childhood. This it's not just learning reading and writing. They're learning about how to get along with other people. They're learning about how to fit in. They're learning about how to love themselves, how to appreciate who they are. They're talking about empowerment of children. And I can't even begin to think about, but I have to
038think about the possibility that some kids won't get this because of whoever they are or where they come from. This is just so basic. It's such a basic part of how we how we build a better world and it affects all of us. It'll affect our own children. It'll affect my grandchildren. It'll affect the teachers if this is p if this isn't taken care of now. So again, I urge you to vote yes on the legislative priority which opposes HB793 and to make sure that all kids get a chance to learn and grow. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Next is Karen Okone Mara. Please state your name and county residents. >> Good evening. Konora Nox County. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I spent years working directly with immigrant and multilingual children.
039First as a dual language learner resource teacher with Knoxville Head Start and later as a community school site coordinator at Norwood Elementary School through United Way of Greater Knoxville. These experiences have shown me one clear truth. When we give im immigrant children access to public education, we give them a real chance to grow, belong, and succeed. Education for all is not a a favor, a political preference or a debate topic. It is a constitutional duty and the engine that moves our country forward. Before Brown v. Board of Education. Sylvia Mendes, a young Mexican American girl, changed US history when her family won the case ending school segration in California. That victory proves something fundamental. When every child is educated, communities grow stronger, families rise, and states, including Tennessee, prosper. As a proud mother of two
040bilingual children in Knox County School, I'm concerned that in 2025, we are debating a commitment already guarantee for by law education for all regard regardless of race, class, disability, immigration status or background. Our constitution says says our history proves it. Our values demand it. This nation thrives because immigrant, Latinos, black, indigenous, and diverse families contribute to our science, art, economy, and public service. Students who were once marginalized have become scholars, innovators, educators, and leaders because someone believed they deserve a classroom. We must ask ourselves what message we we send if adult hesitate to have hold protection that allow children to learn safely and with dignity. Children imitate what we model. They deserve leaders who stand steady and leaders who bend to fe who sorry who bend to fear or division. We cannot revisit battles already
041won. Instead, let's invest in what matters. A stronger classroom, better teacher support, family engagement, and preparing every student in Tennessee for a future that requires empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking. Stronger communities in Tennessee and across the nation grow when every child is supported, believe it in, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Thank you for choosing equity, community, and the success of every child as our as our guiding vision. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Next is Alexa MO Toledo. If >> you would just state your name and county residents. >> Hi everyone. Thank you for having me here today. My name is Alexa Melo Toledo and I'm a proud East Tennessian. I grew up in Oakidge, got an education, and got my degree from Marville College. And I have now built a home and a
042community here in Knoxville. I'm here today to ask you, the Knoxville County Board of Education, to take a firm stance against the bills that permit discrimination against children. I've worked in Knox County Schools in a professional setting and as a volunteer here in my community. I've seen firsthand the impact an education has on a children's life. We have future I'm sorry. We have young entrepreneurs in our classrooms who have ideas that can bring economic prosperity to Knoxville. We have future educators in our classrooms whose bright minds and kind hearts can help shape the next generations to come. We have children that are passionate in STEM or want to serve in our armed forces. These ch these children have many things in common and many that many things that inspire me, but one thing that inspires
043me the most is their drive to want to better our community and make a difference in the world. Policies that discriminate against groups of students are harmful to all students. It's important to note that undocumented students aren't always immigrants. Bills such as HB793 will hurt a child whose proper documentation might be lost in a houseire. It might harm a child who's been taken um and put in foster care whose foster parents don't have the proper documentation to enroll them in in a new school. Our schools should be a safe space for children to learn and figure out who they want to be when they grow up, not a place where their friends and their classmates are denied entry. It is in our collective best interest as a community to ensure every child has access to
044a public and free education. uh K through 12 education because strong schools build strong children who go on to build even stronger communities. Thank you. [applause] Rosemary Paws [snorts] Rosemary, pause. >> Please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Hey y'all. My name is Rosemary Pass and I'm from Knoxville. I don't have a paragraph because I wasn't prepared for this. Um, but I just want to say that uh thanks for the public schools. I am who I am today and I really appreciate you all for having these conversations with the young people where you all allow immigrant students to be in the school. I'm very nervous but I just want to say that thanks to my teachers I still the person who I am. I'm going to church and I
045do a lot of community work and I say to you all that all immigrant students we work so hard to prepare ourself and be a per better person and since I came here I contribute a lot to this state and to my community even to my neighbors so that's all I want to say because I didn't have a big prayer but also I write a big letter for the puppet if you want to read it so Sorry. [applause] >> Thank you, Maddie Casey. >> Please state your name and county of residence. >> Hi, uh, my name is Maddie Casey, Knox County, District 9. Um, I am a social worker and the youth services coordinator at Bridge Refugee Services. I come before you representing targeted communities and as a concerned citizen. I want educated youth. We
046should all want educated youth. Education is the panacea and an educated community is a free community. Liberal arts are the rights of the free. When education is free for all, crime is lower. When education is free for all, civic engagement, which we all rely on here, is higher, unemployment is lower, crucial workforce development is higher. In a county which is clamoring for a well-trained workforce, why would we deny people who want to learn? Why would we lower the tide of prosperity for the area? Why would we hobble ourselves when we have the power to do otherwise? When students have education, they have a path to success. Consider the Knox County's the Knox County schools own 865mmies and the natural pipeline to the Start Center where much needed trades offer stable jobs. When student when students
047succeed from schools nourishing and nurturing, so can parents. When parents succeed, so too can employers. Indeed, when students succeed, humanity succeeds. Right now, you, our lovely school board, have has the chance to step away from a very slippery slope. The proposed House Bill 793 may not be all-inclusive in its targeting, but its insidious language threatens us all. Its language seeks to remove the freedom of education from this community and to remove all of the benefits which that freedom imparts. Right now, you, our lovely school board, has the opportunity to stand up for freedom, to say yes to an increased tax base, to say yes to an improved economic status for everyone in Knox County, to say yes to this legislative priority of free education for all children. Thank you. [applause] >> Next is Bill Soffield.
048Please state your name and county residents. You'll have three minutes. >> My name is Bill Soffield. I live in Knox County. Um, the freedom the free education for all children legislative priority for Knox County Schools is perhaps misguided at best. I'm going to present a fairly unpopular position, at least in this room tonight. Um, does have the advantage of being correct, though. It is improper for the Knox County Schools to oppose the state legislature on this kind of activity. To do so is to reward improper behavior and add an incentive to continue to break our laws. Any reasonable parent understands that you get more of the behavior, you reward. If you reward bad behavior, you get more of it. If you disincentivize bad behavior, you get less of it. A lot of parents are averse
049to punishing bad behavior because it's a difficult thing to do. This example is also difficult, but it requires that we not incentivize bad behavior, the breaking of our laws. Years ago, banks used to offer you a toaster if you opened an account. What they didn't do is offer you a toaster if you robbed the bank. That's what free education for illegal immigration is doing in effect. Now, that's the current status >> and that's okay. >> Excuse me, Mr. Soffield. I just could you stop the clock? I just want to remind everybody in the audience that we need to be respectful of our speakers. If you want to >> if you want to have conversations, you need to step outside to do so. Thank you. >> Illegal immigration, and I I'm talking about illegal immigration, not
050not people who comply with the law, is a financial burden on the schools. Um, it comes at a cost. There is a mandate to educate these children. Is there also an equal increase in funding to cover the added cost that it brings? Can anybody here on the school board tell me what that cost is? >> Nobody here can tell me what that cost is either. You as the school board are responsible for stewarding and managing tax dollars of your constituents well and this is an exe e egregious example of failing to do that. If you support the subsidization of illegal behavior, that's your choice. But that's not your option to use tax money to do it. If you want to support that, go ahead, get your wallet out and write the checks. But you can't
051take that's that's your money to do with as you please. But tax revenues are not. You owe the voters of Knox County the most judicious and responsible use of their money possible. Rewarding illegal activity is not it. You may try to stand behind the wording of all children, but that's a fairly vague reference. I doubt the original intent was for illegal activity, but if it was, the best way to resolve that is to let the legislature pass 793. It'll surely go right to a judicial review and we'll get a fairly detailed legal examination of it and then we'll understand all the terms. This is a hugely emotional issue. No one doubts the feelings that are being expressed here tonight. However, a charged emotional state is not what we rely on for good policy. Policy should
052be decided by impartial rational position plans. >> Thank you. >> Talk over me. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Next is Chris Treadwell. Please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Hello. Thank you, Chris Treadwell. I'm in Knox County. All right. So, these bills, Tennessee State Bill uh 836 and House Bill uh 793 does not require schools to track immigration status nor keep records or report these illegals to authorities. Schools can choose to ignore this bill altogether if they want. This bill is intended to empower small schools like charter schools to have the ability to prioritize their native population's education. Any school can check. >> Go back to your >> Hey, >> I'm sorry. Can you can you stop the clock again? >> Um, we are not going to have the
053interruptions, so you can leave or we can have you escorted out, but you have to be respectful of everyone. Everyone here, regardless of side, gets the same equal three minutes. So, please be respectful of that. >> Thank you. That's the second time that person said something. They they told the previous speaker to go kill themselves. Just saying. Any school can choose to check immigration status or not. By rejecting this law, you are taking away the power of choice from schools to decide what is best for their students. You can't complain that schools are underfunded and then force them to take floods of illegal students whose families don't pay taxes. Not only are you forcing the burden on smaller schools who should prioritize American children, but you're requiring them to uh the cost of ESL classes
054and disrupting the learning of native children by forcing teachers to try to educate foreigners that don't speak their language. I understand the emotion behinding want behind wanting free education for all children and many schools will opt out of checking for immigration status anyways. But by forcing schools to take on the burden of prioritizing illegal foreigners, you are degrading the education for all children. Nothing is free in America. In America, we pay heavily for our children's education. And you're giving away our resources for free to those who break the law and cut the line. And you're encouraging this behavior. You are punishing those who created and uphold the system that we all take for granted. And I've seen across this nation illegal immigrants flood into cities, small cities, small areas of the country and completely flood
055out the native population. Now we see also here in Knoxville the flood of people coming in here. Our infrastructure can't keep up with it. small schools, charter schools should have the ability themselves to choose whether or not they can prioritize in these times that we're getting floods of illegals in to prioritize the children and the families who've lived in the United States and who are here legally. This is a a a simple idea and a lot of schools, they'll choose not to follow this. But as a board to force schools to not have the choice to be able to put Americans first, I think that's completely, you know, unfair. Let the administrations of these schools choose for themselves, not this board. Thank you very much, [applause] >> Madam Chair. That concludes public forum for this
056topic. Okay. So, I'm going to ask one more time >> to not have any interruptions from the audience and I am going to ask our security in the back if it continues if you will please um help us escort people out if they are disruptive. Thank you. All right. So, we have a motion in a second. So, I think we as we discussed Monday night, the best way to approach this is we have three um it looks like three I'm looking through these documents options for the header and the templates and we didn't actually have a motion on which option. >> I'll make a motion for the first one. I like the original one best personally, but >> Okay. So, All right. So, we have a motion and a second for the just for the
057template only for option the original um Miss Templeton. The original is what was proposed on Monday. Is that correct? Okay. And then the one that has my name bite is the one that I proposed on Monday. That's correct. So essentially the difference is um where the mandates lie either under you know local control or under classroom impact. Um I felt like it just landed better under local control. Um but I'm I'm fine with a if that's where we need to go but I but for discussion of where you guys feel like it's most logical to land for that adjustment. Um, but I feel like um we should have local control as to how we spend our money. That's why it's there. >> So, any other discussion on that? All right. So, we have a motion
058in a second to adopt the original template. So, we will go ahead and do a vote on that. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. So then we have our individual priorities that we can take a motion and a second on to add. Um I'll open that up if anybody wants to for funding for preschool students in the TISA funding formula. Okay. So we have a motion by Mr. triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Um to add the first priority, which is funding for preschool students in the TESA funding formula. Any discussion on that? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Okay, motion carries. So, next up on this list is the ability to conduct lotteryies for educational purposes. Do we have a motion in a second? Okay. So,
059a motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Mr. Wright. Discussion on that one. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. The third one up um is academic and retention decisions. A motion by Miss Spike, a second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number four on the list, teacher evaluation, a motion by Reverend Butler, a second by Miss Timon. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. The fifth one, um, stabilize federal funding. A motion by Miss Bike, a second by Miss Templeton. Discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? All right. Motion carries. And then the next one we have the free education for all children. And I'm looking at the revised one on the list. So, a motion by Dr.
060Butler and a second by Miss Spike. Discussion on this one. >> Okay. My mic is not working. Oh, >> okay. Miss Tippleton. >> Yeah. Um, we've talked about this for two months now, and I honestly don't know where how everybody is going to vote on this. Um, but this is important. And I felt like it was um important enough for me to prepare words to make sure that I said them all. Frankly, um we may not have the final say if this bill becomes law. We don't have that. But our constituents are watching how we lead and how we treat the children in our county. They're speaking loudly, as we can see, in support of their neighbors. More than 50 individuals have come to this board to support this priority. And that was before tonight.
061And I've received over a hundred emails in favor, but one was in opposition. And then we heard two in opposition tonight. And as the third largest school district in Tennessee, our voice matters. I believe in listening to all constituents. And based on the one descent that I received over email, I did some more research and and actually the some of her concerns were brought up tonight as well. Um, and I'm happy to provide the primary sources if requested. Uh, but in 2022, immigrants contributed $314 million to Tennessee's tax roles. [applause] >> Thank you. Undocumented immigrants contribute roughly an average of 28% of their income in local, federal, and state taxes. And most of it goes to services that they're not allowed to access. That includes health care, social security, and their tax dollars support these
062as well as our infrastructure and our schools. And that cannot be ignored. Our state constitution protects the rights of all children to attend a free public school. I'm asking that we affirm the law as it stands today. The wisdom of our law as it currently stands keeps all kids learning and growing to contribute to our great country and it keeps our schools teaching. Our school houses must remain places of unity and peace, not division. We have so much to learn from the cultural melting pot that we were all frankly raised to embrace in this country. This is how we can ensure teachers, administrators, and everyone who is working so hard around this table can do their jobs effectively and without distraction. So, I request that we take this vote and I hope that you will
063pass this priority to benefit all children in Knox County. >> Miss Henderson. [snorts] >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am the daughter of an immigrant who came to this country at the age of 16 on a boat from Greece legally through Ellis Island. My dad couldn't speak English. He couldn't read or write English. He never graduated from high school, but he worked incredibly hard and became a successful small business owner. We are a country of immigrants, but we are also a country of laws. I'll be voting no on this addition to our legislative priorities, and I want to explain why. First, this bill in Nashville would not require Knox County Schools to do anything. It's not a mandate, and it doesn't impact our current operations or our students. I believe adding it to to our
064priorities is unnecessary. Second, there has been a coordinated campaign from the left to make this an issue locally when it is not. There's been a flood of media attention designed to pressure this board into taking a stand in virtue signaling on something we have no control over and that has no bearing on our schools. I'm not interested in playing political games when there's real work to be done. Why is there no outrage or protest from these organizers when it comes to making sure our students can read or do math on grade level? While we've made real progress in these areas over the past few years, there's still a long way to go and that's where our focus should be. This is a political game and I'm not going to play it. No member of this
065board has ever suggested that we wouldn't serve all students. For some, this is about politics, but for me, it's about staying focused on one mission. Educating children, supporting our teachers, and improving academic results. And that's what I intend to focus on and do, >> Mr. Triplet. >> Yeah, I thank you. I I I understand Miss Anderson's reflections on this and understand her perspective on that. Um I don't really watch the news ever actually and um but my understanding is this is per usual the media has made this out to be a much larger issue I think than it than it needs to be. Um you know there's a lot of there's some talk about this being sort of a referendum on the state legislature like we're pushing back against the state legislature. Um and the
066current bill as proposed does give that local control which is what we asked for you know our our choice our freedom to make that decision. So, if this was a priority that said I'm against that bill, I don't know that I'm against that bill because I do support the freedom that it gives to whatever local school district. I would appreciate the freedom to make that choice. Um, so I'm not against that portion of that. Like, let's just let let the local school board, local schools make make those decisions. So, it's not really a referendum on say it's also not a referendum about immigration in general. You know, I think there's been, you know, like this is some sort of of bigger deal related immigration. Uh, more broadly, we can have different opinions and if we
067sat down with all of us, we'd probably have nine slightly varying opinions on how to handle immigration or close the border, that kind of thing. And, um, you know, I I I can be firmly against illegal immigration. Feel like that is not a good thing. Support, you know, methods to to mitigate illegal immigration and reduce that. uh and and um still this priority does is not about that. It's really about one thing and that's how do we handle students uh who are here in the United States uh illegally. And so we have we have options, right? You can you can send them to the to the home to the streets and let them do whatever and that I think would certainly not be good for our community or or for them. Um we could, you
068know, send them back to their home country, but we don't have, you know, this this board obviously does not have authority there. um we can educate them and I strongly um I do I do feel um like that's probably the best move. My my problem with this whole priority is like the political pandering that it has become. It's just become such a a political issue and I am not um I'm actually talking to figure out how I'm going to vote to be honest with you because I'm just not a fan of the political pandering that this has become some sort of you know broader issue that that I I I don't support all the politics around it you know um but but I do want to help the students. So um you know I'm not
069sure exactly where I'm going to land on it but I but I I do support the students. I have compassion for those students. I'm not sure leaving them to roam the streets, if you want to call it that, is is a good option. Um, but I'm also not in favor of all of this sort of nonsense that this has created u to a board that has no power and very minimal impact on how this will play out. >> Miss Morgan, >> thank you. [clears throat] Uh like Miss Templeton, I I have thought a lot about this and also made some notes because I wanted to make sure I was not rambling. Um we have many students in Knox County, including a significant number in District 5, the district I represent, whose families have immigrated here
070to the United States. They have done so legally. I appreciate that these families have chosen to make their home in our community and I value the contributions they make as they work in a wide variety of professions including science and engineering and higher education. We have so many families in Farragate in the West Knoxville area whose parents are working in Oakidge or um here for their work or their their further learning at UT. I love having them a part of our community. I love that these students are here. They're thriving alongside their peers and I'm grateful for the richness that they bring to our schools. I love walking the halls of Farragate and seeing how diverse it is and I would love to invite any of you to come visit sometime because I think you'll
071be surprised to see how incredibly diverse our schools are in Farragate. We have so much of the world represented there. It's amazing. Uh while I certainly don't support removing any child from our classrooms and as some have suggested that would happen, that is not what this bill is asking for. This bill is not asking for the schools to become a removal ground. >> I'm sorry, Miss Morgan. Um I'm going to have to ask security to remove people that interrupt because it it's kind of getting a little bit out of hand here. It it's really hard for us to hear each other with with noise coming from out there and it's very distracting. Um, you know, we're here to hear everyone and and this is the only time the board has to conduct conduct board businesses
072or public meetings. So, we ask that you be respectful of that and not interrupt board members when they speak whether you agree or disagree with them. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to point out we did all sit and listen to everybody who spoke without interrupting. So please show us the same courtesy whether you agree with me or not. Um so this bill is not asking for students to be removed from school in that nature necessarily. In fact um as Mr. Triplet stated, it gives a lot of control and Miss Henderson stated um by saying may rather than must at the local level. And here at Knox County Schools, I'm very proud that we don't ask for that information right now. I'm glad that we don't. And this um this bill, if it
073were to pass, is written to say may choose, not must. Um we educate all students here, and nothing the way it's written right now would prevent us from continuing to do so. Uh I fully support every child's right to a free and public education. I'm an advocate for those with special needs. I work hard to make sure everybody gets an excellent education and I'm proud that we're doing an incredible job of that here in Knox County Schools and we continue to rise to that. I will be voting no on priority six because it does go I agree with Mr. Triplet and Miss Henderson. It goes beyond what we as a school board do here. um it's a state level thing and I believe that right now um we are continuing to serve our students well
074and want to do so. Um I also would just echo what Miss Henderson has said that um this has been pointed as being a political issue by one side but really um has been drummed up to be way more of a political issue than it needs to be. And I don't appreciate that. I want to get back to the business of making sure that our kids can read and write and do math really well. So again, I'll be voting no on this one. >> Thank you. I have a couple of um things that I want to say. Um, as far as undocumented people coming to this country legally or illegally, um, it's been in my experience just in the last few days that when they do try to do it legally, they are arrested and
075thrown in jail. So that whole thing of doing it legally or not legally um isn't the same as somebody coming in 1940s or 50s or 60s to Ellis Island. um which I'm so glad that people can um and uh as far as the politics are concerned everything that we do on this board has become political because the school board has become is has been mand mandated to be partisan and so it's going to be political. you know, I I don't want the way that we treat our children to be uh back and forth with um politics anymore than anybody else does, but here we are. Um it's not a mandate yet, but um in the past, you know, things that get kind of slipped in um one way tend to become a mandate and it's
076a slippery slope when we don't make it clear what we stand for. Um, it's it's not about illegal, legal. It's about humanity and treating everybody that's in this country, legally or illegally, with respect and kindness and making sure that we do right about it by everybody. I'll be voting yes. >> Dr. Butler. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I do not disagree with anyone because they've made their own personal statements. Uh I'm disappointed that it has come down to this political narrative. When we first started talking about this, we talked about that we did not want it to be about immigration. We even talked about we didn't want it to be about that bill or that other bill. We talked about it being about Knox County Schools having a principle of free education for all children.
077That's why for me I consistently wanted to make sure that's what we stayed focused on because I knew how sometime the most purest thoughts can become political and you have one side against the other. Honestly, I don't have a side. This is an issue that I think that as a board we want to say to uh our community that we believe in free education for all children. I was happy with a little simple statement that said that. Um but it has become something more than that. Uh, I would like for us to think about the statement that we make when we when we uh say yes or no to this. Uh, we've already talked about we're not saying yes or no to a bill in the state legislature. We can't do that. Um, we've already
078said we we said it more than one time that we were not talking about immigration, but here we are back at that again. So, I'm voting for free education for all children. A statement from this board to say that's what we believe in and the legislature is going to do what the legislature does. But I think us making that statement to our community. Uh, and we've had people who came who could be um looked at as possibly being someone who would be really concerned about it. And we had those who came and said they they're not personally or directly affected. So, our community has really spoken out strong and hard that this is what they would like for us to do. So, I beseech you, brothers and sisters, to really think about what we're saying
079here. It doesn't have to be political. And I'm saying I refuse to let it be political, but I like I like yourselves, I'm sharing my personal view, and so I respect your personal view because it's yours and you have a right to make it. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Miss Bike. >> Thank you. Um, in previous times I've always said that I really like collaboration and I really love the words that we've come together with the revised priority six free education for all children and I stand by it and I appreciate the work that we've all done on it and so I will be voting yes. Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, for me when I'm thinking about this, obviously my job is to communicate with the students and communicate
080their issues with the board. Um, but the other part of that job is to communicate to the students about what the board decides. Right now, I'm having a hard time kind of wrapping my head around what I'm going to tell my peers, what I'm going to tell their younger siblings about if this isn't affirmed. I know that Knox County doesn't have the power to do anything related to the larger issues at stake here, but what we can do is is make a statement. And I think for a lot of kids, that'll be really powerful, especially since for the younger students in our district, politics doesn't mean much to them. There's not red and blue kids in elementary school and in middle school. But if this is voted no on, what they will know about is
081that we didn't weren't able to affirm this. They don't know what's going on in the state legislature, but they know what's being said about them and their students and their peers. Um, and just for me, we've had had the privilege of listening to so much of our young students come in. And so, you know, if I had to vote, I don't, but it would be easy because my job's been made easy with all the people showing up here because I don't have to voice their concerns when they're here voicing their concerns for me. Um, and I just don't think with all the support we've seen and the message that we could be sending um that this is the time to be a bystander and not do something to defend um what needs to be said.
082Thank you. Um, just on a personal note, I think I can relate more to you, Dr. Butler, and Mr. Triplet. Um, I I struggle with it, too. I mean, the kids don't understand the politics behind it, and it is very political, but I don't think anybody on this board wants to vote against a child regardless, right? I mean, and I I do feel like ultimately um as things are right now, it's a a Supreme Court ruling. I don't even know how much control the state has unless they're planning on challenging it there at that level. Um but again, I I've struggled with it too, Mr. Triplet, because I don't think having having children on the street helps anything. I don't think um regardless of the politics behind immigration, I don't think that children have much
083choice in you know where they end up or or how they get there. So I do I do struggle with that part. So with that um if we do not have any other discussion, we can do a roll call vote. Miss Cody Thank you, Madam Chair. No, I I'm going to echo Mr. Triplet sentiment on I feel like this is kind of something that's taken on a mind of its own. Um I do agree with Reverend Butler on his point as well and I agree with you on what you said. Um one thing I would like to reiterate to everyone as far as the Senate bill goes, uh, that did pass, two of the three senators from this district voted no on that. So, I think back to what you say, uh, you know, and
084and the folks that I've heard from and it it's this is a a tough one. Say that. All right. Anyone else? Miss Cutney. >> Dr. Butler? >> Yes. >> Miss Templeton? >> Yes. >> Miss Font? No. Ridley? >> Yes. >> Miss Bike? >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan? >> No. >> Miss Henderson? >> No. >> Mr. Triplet? >> No. >> Mr. Wright? >> Pass. >> Miss Christie? >> I'll pass. >> Mr. Right. Would you like to change your pass vote? >> Yes. >> Miss Christie, would you like to change your pass vote? >> Yes. >> That is six yes votes and three no votes. [applause] [cheering] >> All right. [applause] Well, we're not done. We still have We still have another one left here. My computer timed out. on legislative. Was there another item? My computer's
085>> for Okay, so legislative priority 7 community schools. >> A motion by Miss Templeton, a second by Dr. Butler. [clears throat] Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. Can't see. Okay. All right. I think we have some more public forum speakers. Is that correct? >> We do, Chair. Thank you, Candace Bannister. >> Please state your name and county resident. You have three minutes. Thanks. >> Candace Bannister, Knox County resident. Last month, after I spoke, someone in the audience came to speak to me. He told me he'd been hearing me speak for a few months and he asked me when Will had taken his life. Then he said he wondered if it was time for me to forgive this person who did this and maybe stop speaking. I quickly told
086him that my speaking is not about a hate for any person. That I have no interest in stopping speaking as the point of my speaking has to do with the fact that this admin was never held accountable by Knox County Schools for bullying, harassing, and mentally abusing a student with a diagnosis of anxiety who was on medication for the disorder. This is far beyond not just following board policy. This man also asked if there were others willing to speak alongside me. Several people have offered to come speak along the years. Some have even said they wish that they felt like they could come speak but have concerns about retaliation. Three things here. I don't need other people to tell my story. Secondly, I cannot blame a person who is still employed for Knox County Schools
087for having concerns regarding retaliations for speaking up. They know I've been speaking for over a year and absolutely nothing's been done. Finally, I speak up because I work for this system for 18 years. And if this can happen to our family, it can happen to just about any family across the county. Perhaps with the exception of board members and central office employees families. Certainly, my being a teacher in the system did not stop that admin from bullying, harassing, and mentally abusing our son. There are many people who continue to thank me for coming to speak up because I can say what they can't. While the district has no problem holding students and teachers accountable, often it doesn't have the same standards for admin who fail. This administrator is not the first one to have failed
088upward in Knox County Schools. There are several who come to mind who have made that move through the years for various reasons. I want to make it perfectly clear that I have forgiven that admin for the way he treated our son Will. While that administrator took my life from me the very day that Will took his life, I will not stumble over his failings, but instead will one day live life eternally. Well, I will again be re reunited with Will. There is nothing on this earth jeopardizing my eternal life. A quote from CS Lewis comes to mind. The fact that our heart yearns for something earth cannot supply is proof that heaven must be our home. I rest on the promise of God that I will see will again. I have been yearning for almost
089nine years for something the earth cannot supply. I told that man that I will stop coming to speak when I no longer have anything to say. Or as I told you in October, you give Will back to me. You hold that admin accountable or you bring yourselves to say you got it wrong where Will is concerned. Remember your actions after Will's death were less than respectful. And one person here asked my husband and me back in December of 2017 if we wanted to see that admin terminated. You see, we are not the only ones who know you got it wrong. Thank you, [applause] Julie Lenoman. Please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Julie Landonin. I live in Knox County and I'm here to talk about music therapy. My daughter
090Mia, who has autism, aged out of the school system this past May. Mia has the dubious distinction of being the very first child in Knox County schools to receive music therapy. Our family moved from Texas to Knoxville in the middle of the 2018 school year. For 14 years, Mia had qualified for and received music therapy in San Antonio. We came with an existing IEP, 14 years of data, and 14 years of proven outcomes. We assumed since we were in the middle of a school year, had an existing IEP, that her most important related service would easily transition to Knox County Schools as it was required by law. But that didn't happen. It took almost two years. And in that time, as parents, we had to provide a music therapist to attend her IEP meetings to
091explain music therapy. We had to hire an attorney to attend our IEP meetings. We, the parents, had to pay out of pocket to have a music therapy assessment done for our daughter. And finally, with no other recourse at all, we filed for due process. Within that same month of filing the lawsuit, Knox County Schools agreed to provide Neil with her music therapy, reimbursed us for the money we spent on attorneys, and the music therapy evaluation. We know a lot of families in the special needs community and sadly I'm not surprised to hear these families are struggling and fighting for music therapy. They are waiting years literally for a music therapy evaluation. I understand many of these families have already filed lawsuits just as we had to do years ago. So here I am on the
092other side of one of the most stressful times of my life and here's what I know. First, our original agreement for music therapy was for 18 months, but the IEP team continued it every single year after that because they saw the obvious benefits of music therapy and the progress that Mia was making on her IEP goals. Secondly, of all the support services Mia received while in the school system, music therapy is the one support that we continue today. Still, we continue it weekly. So, in closing, I ask you to please take a closer look at what appears to be a terrible pattern for Knox County schools. Forcing parents to hire an attorney, then filing for due process, settling, and then using Knox County funds to cover the costs. It seems like these funds would be
093better spent providing an educationally necessary service in the first place. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Next is Jackie Gonf. Sorry if I mispronounced that. Please state your name. County resident. You'll have three minutes. >> Jackie Goowens. I reside in District 3, but my kids are in District 4. My son, Josiah Goens, is 5 years old and has Down syndrome. He's a bright little boy who's delayed in speech and fine motor skills. In December of n of 2023, I requested a music therapy evaluation after it was recommended by our private speech therapists. It was tabled until April of 2024, pending results of our private music therapy. Josiah made great progress in his speech and private m music therapist recommended adding a music therapy evaluation, a SIMTAP, to our IEP, which was added in April of
0942024. The SIMAP was completed on November 12th, 2025 after filing a request for a due process hearing, what board members are told is a lawsuit. However, just hours ago, my son was approved for music therapy and it was added to his IEP. Why is it that up until today, parents who I know are being told that the decision to add music therapy has to go outside the IEP team to someone higher up in the KCS special education team or that as long as their child is making progress, music therapy isn't necessary. My son has always made progress and our IEP team was our standard school team, music therapy will be used to help him make even more progress towards kindergarten. You see, I have my doctorate in physical therapy. I'm a professional that has practiced
095in my field for many years. I even did a clinical rotation in Knox County schools. As a physical therapist, I have never heard of an IEP refuse physical therapy treatment. When an evaluation shows it's necessary, the same goes for OT, the same goes for speech. We have a trained eye to spot issues that the untrained eye may not see. Then we diagnose them and we prescribe treatments. It's the same for a music therapist. They are professional in their field. They see an educational related difficulties that the student is having and they prescribe ways of using music to address those difficulties with a treatment plan. But Knox County is letting untrained people in music therapy or an IEP team who's untrained or a special education supervisor say it's unnecessary, overriding the professional in the field. If
096this is the case, you are leaving parents no choice but to pursue a lawsuit when it would be cheaper and better for the for the student to hire a music therapist for Knox County Schools. Thank you. [applause] >> Michelle Mian, please state your name and county of residence. Hi, my name is Michelle Mihan. I'm a Knox County resident and my son receives special education services in Knox County Schools. He's a fourth grader at Harden Valley Elementary School. Almost two years ago, back in February 2024, my son's IEP team determined that a special education music therapy assessment process, commonly known as a SETAP, was necessary to see if music therapy as a related service could support his educational programming. We waited a very long time and finally at the end of October the STAP was completed.
097In line with music therapy best practices, the music therapist who conducted the MTAP would not be the one providing the services if the service was determined necessary. The recommendation by the music therapist was that my son should receive music therapy 40 times a year for 30 minute sessions. at our IEP meeting two weeks ago to review the SMTAB, we weren't given proper notification and were surprised that it was only scheduled for 30 minutes. This wasn't just about quickly reviewing a recommendation. We needed adequate time to thoroughly go over the professional SEM top, discuss his findings, and have a [clears throat] full conversation about whether Max needed a related service like music therapy. At the end of the 30 minute meeting, the school denied the professional recommend recommendation stating related services are not required if a
098student is not making progress. This was alarming and it was contradictory because Max has always made progress yet they still found it necessary to approve the SETAP. He's always received speech and occupational therapy as related service while making progress. This statement has a huge implication on his past and his future programming. After the meeting, I reached out to the Tennessee Department of Education and they confirmed that his student may be making progress but still require related services. So my question to you board members is why is Knox County Schools moving the goalpost for related services when it comes to music therapy? Thank you. [applause] >> Courtney Piper, if you would just state your name. County residents. >> Courtney Piper, Knox County. I serve on the special education parent council and I'm here tonight because families
099of students with disabilities want to partner with this district. But partnership requires trust and right now that trust is fragile. During the parent council's October meeting with KCS's new special education director, Brad Carr, I vo voiced a concern that many parents share. Knox County Schools has not addressed the foundational issue required for a special education strategic plan to succeed. Rebuilding trust with families. Conditions on the ground have worsened in many areas and experiences vary dramatically from school to school. Some schools are getting it right, but the lack of consistency means a family's level of respect and support often depends entirely on which school their child attends. I want to share a few examples. First, many special education families don't even know that Knox County hired a new special education director. They don't even know his
100priorities. For families navigating complex system, this lack of introduction communicates that their involvement is an afterthought. Second, building level administrators continue to limit IEP meetings, capping them at 45 minutes, scheduling only during teacher planning periods or prohibiting them on certain days of the week. IDEA requires meetings to be at a mutually agreed upon time and place. The fact that nearly identical messages are coming from multiple schools suggests this is a centralized practice. Third, KCS has a district-wide practice that prohibits aids from communicating with parents. Period. This further undermines trust. Finally, some building level administrators treat placement in the general education setting as a privilege that parents should be grateful for rather than a right under federal law. This mindset leaves students and teachers unsupported and parents livid. These might look like operational details, but without
101trust, implementing and scaling a strategic plan will be extremely difficult. After these concerns were raised, Brad Carr asked the council to suggest action items to rebuild trust. And here are mine. First, end the use of unwritten practices. Replace them with written documents. Anything guiding decisions that affect students should be written, consistent, and publicly available. Second, require accurate and complete prior written notices. This is not a minor clerical issue. When a parent requests a service that is not documented without aggressive parent followup, trust is eroded. Train teams and provide clear models. Third, empower IEP teams to proactively suggest supports, services, and evaluations without waiting for parents to use the exact right jargon. Put this in writing in the KCS way for special education and train general and special education teachers. Communicate to your employees this is
102a skill the district values and support them. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for your commitment to getting this right for every student. [applause] >> Thank you. Alexis Rhodess, >> please state your name and county of residents. Hello, my name is Alexis Rhodess. I live in Knox County. Recently, I contacted you all about the transparency in the policy review process. I appreciate that you acknowledge that the district's non-compliance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act and that we've reached an understanding that the bare minimum of the law is not optional. KCS bed families are also fighting for the bare minimum before we even sit down at the IEP table. So, what is this bare minimum? scheduling a meeting time that's mutually agreed upon, meaningful parental participation, and an IMP meeting long enough to be
103significant. Yet, an increasing number of KCS schools are not meeting even these basic requirements in systemic fashion. One recent example, a parent requested an IEP meeting and provided wide availability Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 3:30. Her case manager offered a meeting six weeks out at 8 a.m. refusing any time outside of the teacher planning period and said that the only alternative was a 15minute slot from 8:30 to 8:45 if the parent wanted to attend at all. That is not meaningful participation and that is not mutually agreed and it does not satisfy the IDA's requirement for reasonable efforts to involve the parent. Even when parents do secure meeting time, then they're confronted with the district-wide 45minute default. 45 minutes is not enough time to review data, present levels, goals, services, accommodations, and parent concerns. It's barely
104enough time to review the present levels. And if a parent chooses to review their procedural safeguards, which is another right of theirs, they that meeting is now effectively dropping to 30 minutes long. I recently attended a meeting where a parent had to stop present level review to address the concern that she called the IEP meeting for because KCS gave their five-minute warning. She presented data. The team claimed that they didn't have the data. Reminded the We reminded KCS that parent data is data. And then the administrator ended the meeting because the 45 minutes were up even though they started the meeting 10 minutes late. When I asked KCS to issue a prior written notice documenting the denial, the response was, "We can't make a decision because we've run out of time. No decision is a
105decision." And that parent was denied a significant IEP meeting because of arbitrary time limits that violate IDA's most basic protections. This is not about what parents prefer. This is about what the district is legally obligated to provide. And tonight, I ask the board to honor your own resolution, a resolution many families feel is long forgotten. I ask you to bring the policy changes necessary to ensure that KCS meets its most basic obligations in the IEP process. I'm asking you to ensure that those policy changes are made in full compliance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act. And I ask you to uphold the bare minimum and finally begin building the model district you promised two years ago. Thank you. >> [applause] >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. That concludes public. All >> right. With that we are
106ajourned.