North/East Shopper-News 082714

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NORTH / EAST VOL. 2 NO. 34 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ

Attention teachers: State Rep. Gloria Johnson wants to make sure teachers of subjects that don’t have TCAP tests know about the Sept. 1 deadline to comply with a new state law that could affect the way they are evaluated. In the past, 15 percent of their evaluation scores have been based on school-wide or county-wide “literacy” or “numeracy” scores (i.e., reading or math scores of students they never taught). Johnson posted this announcement: “Is everyone aware that teachers who teach untested subjects now have the ability to choose whatever relevant method they want for their 15 percent as of 7/1/2014? “You can make up your own measure as long as it is relevant! It has to be approved by superintendent and if there is a disagreement it will go to state BOE.” State Rep. Harry Brooks sponsored the new law.

Jamie Rowe campaign kickoff Second District school board candidate Jamie Rowe will have a campaign kickoff 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Fountain City Lions Club building in Fountain City Park. Andy LeGrand will play the guitar, and light refreshments will be served. School board races are nonpartisan, and Rowe says she won’t take money from political parties or special-interest groups. The election to replace Indya Kincannon will be held Nov. 4. Knox County Commission was set to appoint an interim board member Aug. 25.

IN THIS ISSUE New A-E stadium Austin-East Magnet Academy’s football team kicked off the season last Friday with many firsts that brought out Superintendent James McIntyre along with other elected officials. The night started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting the new grandstands, press boxes and concourse areas for George “Dusty” Lennon stadium. The planned upgrades turned into replacements after construction crews assessed the condition of the old structure. The new grandstands increased the seating capacity to 3,500, up from 2,100.

Read Patricia Williams on page 3

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August 27, 2014

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Kesler plans next level for

Beck Center By Patricia Williams

“I can sleep nights and go on,” says Robert “Bob” Booker, reacting to the recent appointment of Renee Kesler as director of Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave. “(Kesler) is capable and has the vision and skills to take (Beck) to another level,” said Booker, a local historian who founded Beck Center and has been serving as interim director since health issues forced Avon Rollins to leave the position. “I take it as a privilege and an honor to do this work and be a part of something so great as Beck (Center),” said Kesler. Kesler is a licensed ordained minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Brooks Road. She has served on Beck’s board of directors, has chaired the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, has worked for Regions Bank and was Knoxville’s community development director under former Mayor Bill Haslam. “Beck needs to be on the map nationally,” said Kesler. Her agenda includes: incorporating technology and social media for increased exposure to the vast historical records of Knoxville African-Americans that are housed at Beck Center; educating and inspiring younger generations about their heritage; and being more engaging with regularly scheduled events and activities. To schedule group tours, visit www.beckcenter.net or call 524-8461. The Beck Center needs support. Volunteer opportunities abound, from archiving and maintaining displays to yeararound groundskeeping. If you have heirlooms, memorabilia or information you would like preserved through time for others to enjoy, consider donating it to Beck Center. Like her predecessors, Booker and Rollins, Kesler vows to take good care of it.

Robert Booker, founder and interim director of Beck Cultural Exchange Center, assists Renee Kesler, the newly appointed director. Photo by Patricia Williams

City program breathes new life into blighted homes Jean Ann Washam became emotionally attached to a distinctive home on Washington Avenue that she and her husband, Shannon, were refurbishing as a “labor of love” project. They wanted to sell to someone who shared their dedication. New owner Sally Harwell says that the moment she saw the home, she felt an immediate pull. She, her husband, Jonathan, and their children have moved into the two-story house in northeast Knoxville, and it feels like home. This match made in heaven was made possible by the city of Knoxville’s Blighted Properties Redevelopment Program. The BPRP provides short-term development and construction financing through subsidized loans for the purpose of redeveloping and renovating unoccupied residential dwelling units for sale, rent or owner occupation. The Washington Avenue prop-

Restored home on Washington Avenue erty is a George Barber-designed house, distinctive because of the glazed blocks used for the exte-

rior. The house was empty and condemned until the Washams discovered it.

“The city was incredibly supportive throughout the entire renovation process,” Jean Ann Washam says. “Shannon and I wanted to bring the home back to its former glory. The city’s support in realizing the value of older homes and its willingness to invest in this program speaks volumes.” Loans must be repaid upon completion of the development, when the property is sold, or when the owner obtains permanent financing. As loans are repaid, money is made available to fund additional BPRP applications. Applicants will be notified by mail or email when loan funds are anticipated to become available. The Washams received a city loan for $170,521 for the purchase and renovation of the home. Some of the loan was forgiven, as the program allows for lead-based paint remediation. To page 3

Mama makes three: Rountree attends orientation By Betty Bean Superintendent James McIntyre is off to a rocky start with one of his new school board members. Ninth District school board representativeelect Amber Rountree will be sworn in Sept. 2. She is due to have a baby Sept. 6, and stayed on her job as an elementary school librarian through the end of last school year. She has taken “sick time” as medical leave this summer to preserve her health insurance and will resign Sept. 1. Her Knox County Schools coverage will remain in force until Sept. 30. Rountree was elected to the school board on a “no rubber stamp” campaign promise and was one of the most vocal of the teachers who spoke out last year against McIntyre’s policies. Her maternity-leave status became an issue after she participated in a tour McIntyre conducted at Dogwood Elementary School Aug. 11. Her former opponent, incumbent Pam Trainor, also attended the tour.

On Aug. 13, McIntyre sent Rountree an email informing her that he had “fielded a few questions … about your status, which I answered tactfully. I’m starting to become a bit concerned that some people may perceive it as inappropriate for you to be accompanying me on school visits while you are a paid school librarian out on medical leave. “Sorry to broach a potenRountree tially sensitive subject, but I just wanted to make sure you know that such questions are being asked.” On Aug. 18, McIntyre sent another email informing her that she would not be allowed to attend an Aug. 21 orientation session for incoming board members “given the fact you are out on maternity leave due to physical disability.” He said he’d set up a separate session for her after Sept. 2.

Later that day, Rountree sent McIntyre a return email telling him she’d checked with David Buuck, the chief deputy law director, who assured her that there was no legal reason to bar her from attending the orientation session with fellow board members-elect Terry Hill and Patti Lou Bounds. McIntyre responded the next day: “I certainly appreciate the opinion of the deputy law director, but I’m not willing to accept the risk, nor any potential appearance of impropriety.” Rountree again asked the law director’s office for guidance. Buuck replied quickly: “Amber, I am astounded at the disrespectful response of Jim McIntyre to a member of the BOE which body is his employer.” Buuck shot off an email to McIntyre: “I can find no reason that she should be denied the right to attend the orientation meeting To page 3

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