001Welcome to the board of education's October 2nd, 2025 regular session meeting. Please stand as we observe a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Dr. Butler. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible liberty and justice for all. Just want to apologize for the delay in start. The board did meet with um the law department in executive session this afternoon. Uh board members, you have a list of committee appointments at the table. I try my best to take everyone's preferences into account. So, thank you in advance. Board members, you will have committee appointments soon. I apologize. Those are incoming. They're on the copier. Uh so, thank you in advance for your willingness to serve in these important roles. Just a
002reminder that the board's annual workshop will be held Thursday, October 16th and Friday, October 17th at Bridgewater Place. And because we rescheduled our workshop, Superintendent Risewick and I have cancelled the quarterly work session that was previously on the calendar um for October. Also, November work session is scheduled for November 3rd with the regular session meeting on November 6th. And finally, I can't believe that we are already at October. Um, all of our schools will be closed for fall break next week and I know that all of their teachers and students are um looking forward to a much needed rest. Um, I want to wish all of our students, families, and staff a well-deserved break. Uh, we have a couple Well, we have a change to the agenda. Item 8A was withdrawn. Do we have any
003other requested changes to the agenda? >> So, we have a motion by Mr. triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. So, I believe we have a special recognition, Dr. Rise. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh we have with us tonight uh our state representative, Miss Michelle Carringer. Uh she is here to uh make a special res recognition of one of our principles. Hello, Miss Caringer. >> Well, good evening to all of you all. It's an honor to get to be here. This first time I've been in since in the new place. Uh last time I was in here, it was all under construction. A lot of people weren't happy with us on county commission and it was something to behold that a lot
004of y'all will remember that. But I will say I think it has turned out to be a great thing for everyone. You know change is hard but change can be good and I think that was a good change for the schools as well as for UT and all. So, uh, I am just absolutely beside myself because one of my principles in district 16, House District 16, which is Fountain City Halls and POW, was selected as national principal of the year. And I go back a while with Spencer. I knew his grandfather and um, they were all Fountain City people. And his grandfather was a sweetheart. And um Spencer, I know he's looking down from heaven right now just beaming for being so proud of Spencer. And I'm not going to read all of it because
005I know time is precious for you all. And there's so much to say about Spencer anyway. But um I just wanted to honor him with a proclamation from the state of Tennessee. And I think what's even more special for Spencer uh to get this is being selected as Tennessee's principal of the year by the National Association of Secondary School Principles. And it's just such an honor to to uh recognize him, but so special that Spencer is an alumnest of Halls High School. So Spencer, if you want to come on down here and I said to my assistant, I said, "Don't send I said, "Don't I'm not sending that little red photo." I said, "Send it down and get it framed for him so he can very much proudly display this in his office or or
006wherever for everybody to see right in Hall's High School for everybody to walk in. So, u it's just an honor. Thank you all so much." And I'll let you you won't say anything. >> Representative, can we get a photo, too? Oh, go ahead. >> Yes, we can. I just want to say thank you all very much. Uh, the staff are what makes this possible. So, >> and congratulations. I mean, I had the opportunity to work with you a little last year on a committee and, you know, I've been out to halls and the work you do and it's it's a special place and a special recognition. So, congratulations. >> Thank you all. All right, Miss Cody. I think we're ready to move on to our regular agenda. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Item six, consent
007agenda. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7A approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy B180 public forum as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7B. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy B210 school board records as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7 C. Approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I 171 intercolastic athletics as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries.
008>> 7D. to approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I310 reporting student progress as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7E approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy J200 interrogations and searches as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Templeton. Was that you? Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7F. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy B200 policy development and adoption as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7G. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I123 academic acceleration as
009amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7H approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I 140 homebound instruction as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Seven. I approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I 150 gifted and talented as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet. A second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7J. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I 170 extracurricular activities as amended. Motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >>
0107K. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I22 Internet safety as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? >> Yes. Um, I wanted one piece of clarification because I know that we did talked about YouTube and we kind of talked about all the caveats with teachers and what they can and can't do. Um, I had a question come in about artificial intelligence and if all of those websites were also blocked unless needed by the teacher as well. those were underneath that same umbrella like chat GPT and all the like. Madam Chair, Miss Templeton, this is one I'd love for Freddy to pop in on. I will tell you that would not be considered a social media platform. Uh so I don't think it would um it
011would not address any AI technology or using artificial intelligence >> in this policy. In this policy >> yes, that is correct. But again, I would like I would like Freddy to give him an opportunity to speak to that. He's in >> I see Freddy on Freddy is on his way. >> He's in route. >> And there he is. >> Freddy just loves talking about AI. So that's why I wanted to call him in here. So we've had multiple conversations about AI. So I would like to hear his take on this. >> Can you repeat the question, please? >> Sure. Um I had um actually a couple of emails asking about under recognizing that AI is not social media but so far as internet safety um and internet usage >> within our schools is AI how
012are we treating that and if those sites for example chat GPT and others are blocked unless needed for instruction. >> Correct. So we've got a software review process that that we go through and we look at the individual uh data sharing policies and terms of service for the AI you know various AI tools to understand what age do you know do they allow and what age aligns with you know our kind of expected or responsible use of technology. So if it doesn't meet the age guidelines then we do block those. So you will see a difference between what tools an elementary school student would have access to compared to a high school student. Part of that is our expectation and then part of that are the expectations of the platform. So chat GPT specifically says
013anybody under 13 cannot use the product. No one under 13 has access in our schools. >> So it's based on what their recommendations are from the app developer themselves. >> That that's one of the criteria. But if for some reason it doesn't align with what you know we would expect the tool then we will make it unavailable for everyone. >> And how often do you review these AI comes out all the time. Canva for example now has an AI tool for anybody to use. >> Um how often are these reviewed? >> So that's one of the conversation we've been having is you know how frequently do we need to go back and revisit the tools? Uh currently it's purely based on request. So a teacher may want to use a specific tool uh you know
014for instruction. They put the request and learn platform and then we've got a team from IT that looks at it. We've got a team from uh you know academics that also look at the tool to see if if it's appropriate. Um as you mentioned there are frequent changes to these. So if we're made aware of them we'll put it in for review. But right now we don't have just an automatic oh let's look at this again because it's been 13 months. >> Okay. All right. That's helpful. Thank you. >> Y >> So, do we have any other questions, discussion? >> All right. So, we had a motion by Mr. Triplet and a second by Miss Henderson. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7 L approve first reading of Knox County Board
015of Education policy I 290 ESL program policy as amended. >> So, a motion by Mr. triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7m approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I 311. Authorization for a grade change as amended. >> A motion by Mr. Triplet, second by Miss Henderson. Discussion. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 7N. Approve first reading of Knox County Board of Education policy I340 promotion retention acceleration as amended. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 8A was withdrawn. 8B approved Tennessee Arts Commission student ticket subsidy grants in the total amount of $71,760. So, a motion by Miss Spike, a second
016by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 9A approved opt-in agreement for orders of goods and services for purchase of managed internet access, telecommunications, and related services from United Data Technologies through an Anderson Consortium contract at an approximate annual cost of $680,000. Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 9B. approved contract with Central Technologies for provision of an access control system at an approximate annual cost of $125,000 and not to exceed funds allocated in the capital improvement plan budget for the term of November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2028 which may be extended for two additional one-year option periods. Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say
017I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 9C. Approve contract with Skilled Services Quality Construction LLC for provision of floor tile installation services at an annual cost up to $200,000 for the term of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, which may be extended for four additional years. Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor? Say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 9D. Approve contract with Skilled Services Quality Construction LLC for provision of structural stabilization services at an annual cost up to $750,000 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, which may be extended for four additional years. So motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 A. Approve fund balance designations totaling
0189,453,183 for student staff technology devices and interactive panels, K A roof replacement, bus contractor pay, workbased learning construction, and UT tower plaza level construction. >> I'd like to move that we address this one in two groups. one covering everything but UT tower plaza level construction and then vote separately on the UT tower plaza level construction. >> Okay. So we have a motion by Mr. triplet to separate um the first items which are the technology devices and interactive panels K AEC roof replacement bus contractor pay and workbased learning construction correct and then so we will do that one first and then we will do the UT tower plaza immediately after. Okay. So, the motion right now is on those first items. We have a motion by Mr. Triplet and Miss Henderson. Um, is there any discussion
019on those that first grouping of items? >> So, Mr. Triplet made a motion to u held separately, right? Do don't we have to vote on that motion first? >> Oh, we have to vote on that motion. Yes. I'm sorry. Thank you, Dr. Butler. All right. So, is there any discussion on that motion? I don't. Um, all in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. So, back to that emotion. So now we are going to vote on the grouping of the first items in that everything but the UT tower plaza which will be removed for a following vote >> and we need a move to approve again or no I don't know. >> Yes. So move to approve that first grouping. >> We will need a motion. >> So you need to make a
020motion to >> motion to approve that first grouping. Yes. >> So we have a motion by Mr. Triplet and a second by Miss Henderson to vote on that first grouping. everything except the UT tower plaza. Correct. All right. Is there any discussion on that? All right. All in favor say I. >> I have a really quick question. >> Yes. >> Pure curiosity. How often do we replace Chromebooks? That's what this is for, right? How of how often do we do that? >> Dr. Adams. >> Madam Chair, Mr. Tim Hamilton. So, this was uh part of the one to one sustainability. And normally it just depends on the the what the what cycle it's in. So you're looking at a three to five year cycle. Uh and our the last cycle that the board approved was
021for middle school. And so this is the sustainability piece that we did not have built into the capital plan. So this is just this ensures that we get on a cycle of every three to five years. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> All right. So any other discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> We make a motion on the second one. Just open that T tower. >> Okay. So, we have a motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Do you have the discussion on the UT tower plaza level construction? So, Mr. Triplet. >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. Um obviously I've expressed last um uh in the meeting on Monday some concern around uh the expense of that the 1.8 uh million dollars for that as as it compares
022to the the work at the schools at the dis you know in my district uh I think a pal elementary school and some work that $2 million could do in in that facility. Um, I know we've had some discussion uh in executive session about some of the needs and the concerns there and I I can appreciate that and I don't feel in any way that you know the the decision or bringing this to a to a vote is you know some sort of you know outrageous expenditure that you know the this the central office is trying to spend for themselves and some sort of luxurious you know something that they're doing at all. Uh but also I'm I um I still have some concerns about spending that kind of money. I also don't have we
023don't have a clear and maybe we'll get one tonight. I don't know, but a clear budget, you know, on what it's going to cost exactly to to to do this work. Um, and you know, I look at, you know, what we what we've done in the last four years. We've made some reduction in staff in central office. I think in the last four years 51 staff. I think there are seven or eight that are in that area. Um, and if there's some concern there, um, you know, it makes me wonder, could we not relocate those seven or eight to an area that has, you know, better access and emergency and safety and is a better better location as far as those concerns that we have about the plaza area? Could we not move them to
024another area for far less than 1 8 million? So, uh, for me, you know, as I look at, you know, safety and security of, you know, the portables at Pal Elementary School, um, I don't think that I can vote for, uh, for this, uh, this construction. >> Miss B, >> thank you. Um, when when I first saw this, I did have a lot of questions. um you know and obviously what I voiced on Monday, but after Monday having some conversation um with several of our staff members and then getting the information that we got in executive session um I could understand how this would be a needed thing. So I'll be voting in favor of this. >> Miss Miss Templeton. >> Oh wait, yes, you're next. we can all be friendly. Um, yeah, I had
025some concerns as well and I did go down there um on Tuesday and walked the halls and saw um the situation and we talked in detail about what um was needed and um I saw a real need there and um there were some um some concerns and um and I thought some really good dialogue and I appreciated those folks taking some time out of their day um to kind of walk me through um and Terry was kind to take me down the long the the disjointed path um to the other side of the building um to find a restroom. But um but that's part of the problem. That was part of the issue. So um I will be voting for it. Um I have a question about any kind of surplus and what would happen
026when we get that the final budget and then of course the construction happens. I'd like to know the timeline when we're thinking this might take place and then also what happens to the surplus um because in theory we will be over we will be under budget. So >> thank you Madam Chair. Mr. Templeton I'm actually going to have call on two folks to help answer the question. Um one I think we do have closer a closer estimation of what we think that could be with some good news with that. Uh, and then if there's surplus, um, so I'll start with Miss Lner with that and then have Miss Simgard talk about how we handle surplus if it were to be there. >> Miss Templeton, Madam Chair, Dr. Eiswick, members of the board, we did receive
027some very promising news this morning um or actually later this afternoon um regarding an unofficial estimate for the cost out of the build for the hallway. We're anticipating that uh the amount would not exceed 500,000. That's assuming everything goes well. And I will say this, and this is very much Dr. Adams world. We all know when we're talking about construction projects, you know, we'd be reticent to say that that is the final amount. Um we do hope that it does come in well under budget based on what has been proposed and what was requested. And uh I can turn it over to Miss Similgar to talk about you know what would happen in that scenario. But barring unforeseen circumstances we do hope that the total project cost would be uh around or under 500,000. >>
028Madam Chair, Miss Templeton, the excess would roll back into fund balance. So any unspent funds um would just go back into fund balance. Miss Fonta Ridley, >> thank you. Um, my concern, you know, of course, is the emails that we got about um, Bearden Elementary and their issues with their roof um because it's right next to KEC and so they got the same storm that KEC did that where they had all the roof damage and um, I just want to make sure that those concerns are addressed. um according to what the emails that we got are >> you know doc Dr. Adams did you or Dr. Rise, >> Madam Chairman, Miss Fono Ridley. Uh, so we have not that storm was a very I don't want to say targeted storm. Uh, but it was in
029a very isolated area where it ripped that section of the roof off. Uh, we actually had video um, and we we speculated it was a a tornado. As a matter of fact, uh we did not we did not have or any reports of damage to the roof. Um if there was existing damages due to leaks and what have you, uh normally we would do the the natural repairs. Um and so we would look at if there was significant damage, we would certainly look at adding that to the capital plan, but I think from my understanding all of the damages were addressed and the majority of the damage was to KAC and there there was not any damage to Beard Elementary School. Thank you. Um, there were concerns about um, leaking into classrooms. I don't know
030if they've done like an official request or not. So maybe that's the next step. >> Yes, ma'am. So normally when we have any leaking in the classrooms, it's simple as a work order and that does take top priority. So uh, we do try to get there on the same day to address those concerns. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, >> see, I'm going to go to Miss Henderson next because she has not spoken on this yet. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I kind of struggled with this one. I do appreciate the situation that central office is in and needing um these updates. But then when Mr. Triplet brought brought up the concern of aging schools, I can appreciate that as well. Also, I you know, I do um I do agree with him on that. You know,
031I've had many parents from Pal Elementary for the past couple years come to me about concerns about their um their school. You know, Harden Valley Elementary has a billion portables um at that school that's overcrowded. And so, I think for those reasons, I'll be voting no for this as well. But I just wanted to to um to to talk about those issues. And thank you for Mr. triplet for bringing those up as well. >> Miss Spike, >> thank you. Um, we had a facilities assessment recently uh maybe last year. Is that correct? Um, in that facilities assessment were were roofs roofs, however you say that in in inspected and as a part of that, >> Madam Chair, Miss Bike. Yes. roof, all every uh element and asset um in Knox County Schools was assessed in
032the facilities assessment. >> Um and has there um it's been a while and I know we've all slept since then. Um is it possible for us to get like a progress report on some of the issues that were found and kind of where you all are at and I know you could probably don't have it tonight. Totally fine. But we yes, we do have that information that has been uploaded in our slam software and we will be um going over that with the board in the board retreat or the board uh is it the retreat? Are we calling the retreat yet? The board retreat. >> Okay. >> I don't know if you all feel like it's a retreat. I don't know what it's called. >> The board update >> re retreat makes it sound fun.
033So yeah, we'll go with this. Yeah. And um so because I know a lot of my schools, you know, also struggle with kind of what feels like overcrowding and the portables and things like that. Also Rocky Hill, very old portable that caught on fire. Um so I would love in our board retreat to also maybe hear a little bit about if there is a new plan or what the current plan is for the portables and stuff for the whole district. >> Certainly, we can certainly provide you with that information. Thank you, >> Dr. Butler. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. The amount that we have is um 1.8 million. That's what we're voting on tonight. And the amount that we're hearing is 500,000. I'm just asking the question over here. Yeah, I think you should. >>
034So, Miss Slaughter, is that Mr. Butler? Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt you. Um, but yes. So, that is the unofficial estimate. So, we do not currently have design plans in front of us with a formal uh project cost, but they are estimating approximately 500,000. So the reason right now that we're not in a position to formally revise that number is simply because we don't have the paperwork for that just yet. So our hope is that once that number comes in like I said that it is around or under 500,000 and then at that time uh once the project is closed and you know all hopefully none of those unforeseeable circumstances I mentioned were encountered uh and we don't have any overages at that point then the unspent dollars would roll into fund balance like
035Miss Garn said. >> Thank you. Uh so there's a big difference between 500,000 and 1.8 million. I'm trying to do the math. That's like 1.3 million difference. And so we may be premature at um voting this up or down. Um and we may want to wait and see what the numbers are and then vote on it again because there's a big difference between paying 1.8 8 million and paying 500,000. And I think it may be easier I was going to use analogy easier to swallow a bit of pill to swallow if we do if we at 500 versus 1.3. Um I'm messed up. So my thought is that could we could we offer uh a substitute motion to uh have the administration take a look and come back. >> So the motion Mr. Triplet made
036that was seconded by by Miss Henderson was for discussion. It wasn't actually for approval. Correct. So I mean we could have a motion to defer it for a month. There could you know if that I mean there are other options but the motion we do not have a motion for approval on the table right now. It was just to discuss. >> So we are discussions discussing itself. >> Yes. >> So is it appropriate for me to make a motion that we defer it for a month? >> I believe so. I I move that we defer it for a month. >> Okay. So, we have a motion by Reverend Butler um to defer the item for the TVA tower for one month and a second by Miss Fontnau Ridley. Is there any discussion on the deferment
037for a month? >> Mr. Triplet, >> is that enough time to get a full full quote back? That's the other question. Or do you want to defer it two month? I mean, will we get that info back? >> Or how we could defer it until we have a firm estimate if >> so motion to say that we defer it until the uh is brought back with with a firm uh proposal. >> Okay. So we have the amended motion um to defer this item until we have a good estimate on it and a second by Miss Fontno Ridley. Miss Bite, >> thanks. Um if we defer it, is there any sort of was it only now because it was lumped in with everything else? Is that going to mess up any sort of timelines or is
038that going to change our ability to ask for planning or delay potential construction? [Music] >> Miss Fodner, >> from a planning standpoint, I don't know. I mean, I will say any deferral would um push back our timeline in that um you know, we would need to adjust according to that deferral. So if we were to get the formal estimate in um you know tomorrow and as long as it was in the price range we're talking about our hope would be that we proceed on that work but um you know if we defer then we would be operating on that timeline. So that would kind of be the net impact if that makes sense. So any more discussion any other questions? So, we have a motion on the floor to defer until we have the firm
039estimate by Reverend Butler and a second by Miss Fontau Ridley. Do we need to do a roll call vote, do you think? >> Might as well. Go ahead. >> Dr. Batler? >> Yes. >> Miss Templeton. >> Miss Fontino Ridley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bike. >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes. Miss Henderson, Mr. Triplet, Mr. Wright, >> yes. >> Miss Christie, >> yes. >> Miss Bike, would you like to change your pass vote? >> That's nine yes votes. I guess we didn't need. All right, so motion carries. >> Item 10B, approve appointment of revised collaborative conferencing management team. >> Motion by Mr. Triplet, a second by Miss Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 C approve schematic designs for innovative school models grant projects at Austin East Magnet High
040School, Fulton High School, and West Valley Middle School. >> Motion by Reverend Butler, a second by Miss Morgan. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 D. Approve resolution to surplus a small parcel of property on the Fulton High School campus to facilitate the city of Knoxville's Woodland Avenue sidewalk project. A motion by Miss Templeton, a second by Reverend Butler. Any discussion. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 10 E. approved deferment of October 15, 2025 adoption deadline for the 2025 20226 annual action plan to November 30th, 2025. >> A motion by Reverend Butler, a second by Miss Tenderson. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 10F approve resolution to surplus a parcel of property on the Gibbs Elementary School campus to facilitate
041the Tennessee Department of Transportation's pedestrian bridge project. A motion by Mr. Wright, a second by Miss Font Ridley. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. All right, Mr. Wright. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have three uh folks who would like to speak at public forum. First is Lee Fall. Lee F. Lee, you'll have three minutes. Please state your name and county of residence. >> Uh my name is Lee F. Uh Knox County is my residence. Um I've come here on behalf of the children in Knox County. I had an incident with my daughter. Long story short, uh she made a statement anyways got sent off without my consent and it was traumatizing for her. Well, I'm here to I know that when a child makes uh a suicidal thought, it's very
042serious and as mental health is rising in the community and around us, uh I feel like this is a need that needs to be answered. I'm not asking to change a law, but to maybe add a clause or a tool that when a pre a principal or a counselor hears of a child making a suicidal thought to them coming in confidential, then maybe they give them two hours and put them in a quiet place that we know schools are safe, you know, in a room away from the other kids and give them a chance to reflect on what they just said and then come back and reevaluate. Okay? or maybe have a doctor should be on staff in Knox County somewhere or five of them to be able to answer these needs as they approach.
043My daughter, she's pretty much uh she's a great student, you know, good kid, works 17, uh got her license, uh signing up for college, and she was just stressed out. And I I don't really know the whole incident, but she made these statements and as soon as she made the statements, Christ center was called. They called me. I told them I was on my way. I was an hour and a half away. crisis center was called. Before I got there, they done made an involuntary carrier. They they took my daughter from Knox County School in an ambulance with two police escorting her to Children's Hospital where they let me talk to her. I was able to they said I could spend a night. So, I stayed up there for a while. They ensured me I
044was going to have a bed in Knoxville. Uh I turned down the Erlanger in Chattanooga and and uh I went home to eat and take a shower. And then before I had my shower, they called me and said, "Erlinger's on their way." Police to escort my daughter or to take my daughter to Erlinger Hospital, behavioral hospital in Chattanooga. Well, before 24 hours is up, uh she did get evaluated and uh right after the evaluation, she got jumped by three girls. Okay. I called down there uh demanded separation, demanded to talk to my daughter, make sure she was safe, uh wrote, uh letters, informal letters, uh asked for a police report. they they would not do it immediately. Uh the next day she was attacked again by the same girls. This time a staff member would
045jumped in front of her and they got hurt. Okay. I finally the police came, the girl was removed, went to juvenile. No police uh DCS got involved with me. They called me. I'm meeting with them tomorrow, which is no big deal. But they don't even have the uh incident report, nor was any of this even mentioned down there. I don't know what's in the police report down there. They told me I have to go down there. Of course, I work 50 hours a week. I got four kids. Uh that's in Knox County schools and five grandb babies. So, you could see my concern uh for the children. So, again, my question to redirect is basically a tool to reflect on time so we don't just send them off. Okay? Uh because once this crisis is
046made, then our time uh it's yanked out of our hands. You know, there's nothing I can do. And I don't know if y'all are parents. I'm sure officers parents in this room. Okay. If that happened to you, then it devastates you, you know, and depending on how we act determines on whether DCS can take temporary custody. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Please state your name and county of resident. You'll have three minutes. Candace Bannister, Knox County resident. A lot of different things happen after I speak. A retired teacher told one of my friends that she had to hand it to me for coming to speak. That though she did not think that admin should have been given such a prominent position in the district, that she could no longer fight that fight,
047but that she was glad I could. My friend told her she understood, but that she hadn't lost what I lost, and that if she had, she would likely be right here where I am. Then as I came out of the post office one morning, a person texted me to ask if I would like to have the notebook of the records she kept at her house of issues with this admin from her time at a school with him. I told her I'd like to have those to read as a reminder that though I am here speaking alone, I am speaking on behalf of too many people who were negatively impacted by this man. Another acquaintance messaged me one night after I spoke on Facebook Messenger to tell me that her son was in one of the
048six schools where this man served as an admin. She said she had asked her son what, if anything, he remembered about him. He told her he was always trying to catch students at something and remembered that this admin had gathered a couple of students and was escorting them toward the office when another adult intervened and said, "No, not this one." and led one of the students away. Seems his co-workers were on to his methods back then. Another thing that happened recently was in August after the meeting, an employee asked me about the extensive public records request I had mentioned in public forum. I told her it had been resubmitted originally in fall of 2019 and that I'd heard from them in the spring when they had some of the items ready and were working on
049gathering others. She asked me to resubmit that request to her office and so I did. On September 2nd, I received an email from the records coordinator that they are working on gathering some of those items. Although I do not have any of them at this point, I do at least know someone in the room heard what I had to say. I also want to remind you that I didn't come to speak about that admin even when our case was dismissed. I accepted that we had done what we could do and that this man had been removed from work with teachers and students. I believe at that time he was working on alternative certification for educators in HR. I was fine with him having a desk in HR where he could not affect students and teachers
050with whatever you wanted to pay him uh in a position. But when you promoted him to a position called chief of schools, well that was a lot to swallow. Three people sent that notice to me the day that you sent it out. Probably because they also knew he shouldn't have that position either. Honestly, if you would just give Will back to me once I could stand up and walk, I would forget the last eight and a half terrible years of nightmare and grief and I would walk out that door and I would never look back. But you can't do that. You won't hold that administrator accountable and you just can't bring yourselves to say you all got it wrong. So, I will keep coming back to speak for as long as I have something that
051needs to be said. Bullies are cowards. You are responsible for knowingly giving that coward access to bully my son. Will, as his behavior had been reported to you before he ever arrived at Farragate High School, you bear that responsibility, and I will never forget what your poor choices have cost my family. Thank you. >> Thank you, Janice. Next is Betsy Hobkerk. Betsy, please state your name and county of residents. You'll have three minutes. >> Sure. I'm Betsy Hobkirk. I'm in Knox County. Um, I've been a teacher in Knox County for about 14 years. I I've taught elementary school art in West Hills Elementary. I'm currently currently in South Knoxville Elementary and I've taught after school programs at Lndale. Um, I'm concerned that last year, this has been weighing on my mind, that the Tennessee legislators
052proposed House Bill 793, a bill that sought to deny certain undocumented children access to public education in Tennessee. Part somewhere in there, there was also a proposal to charge parents of undocumented students tuition to attend public schools. Thankfully, the bill did not pass. However, I'm assuming that a similar bill may be po proposed again this coming legislative season. The idea that the state of Tennessee would even consider the possibility of denying any child an education is unbelievable to me. The education of any child in the world is a victory. Denying an education for any reason to any child is a tragedy. I'm asking you as a board as board members to put some thought now into how you may respond in the event that similar legislation is proposed again. To remain silent is complicit. When
053I first learned about House Bill 793, it was very jarring. I fear for any child that is denied entry to public school due to their citizenship. How would this even play out? I mean, I've really thought this through. Besides denying an education to a child, it would make children vulnerable to abuses, human trafficking, child labor. It's unbelievable to me that this would even be put on the table. Our country prides itself on making sure everyone has access to a free K through2 education. The the the bill is cruel. Um, in in my 15 years teaching in Knox County, I have never been part of or witnessed a discussion about the presence of undocumented students being problematic. The teacher culture I know cares about our students unconditionally regardless of their citizenship. We don't even focus on
054that. Um, I've taught children from all over the world in Knox County. I think you can imagine in art it makes things much more interesting to have kids with different backgrounds and more engaging. And I believe the bill would disproportionately would impact children from Latin America. And I've taught many Hispanic heritage children. And one thing I noticed is that they stand out as young people who bring respect and a sense of community to the classroom. They make our schools better because they naturally look out for their fellow students and they they're helpful in the classroom. They genuinely want things to go well for everyone. So, I respectfully urge you to think now about you how you as a board would respond if and when similar legislation to deny undocumented children access to public schools is
055proposed again. >> Thank you, M. >> Thanks, Madam Chair. includes public form. >> We are ajourned.