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IN THIS ISSUE
Her name was Maria de la Luz Compere, and before she died Jan. 24 at age 97, this tiny human dynamo was responsible for planting some 2 million daffodils along Pellissippi Parkway. Betty Bean says there is a simple way to honor her legacy: Buy some bulbs. Plant some flowers.
Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre spoke last Tuesday to an assembly of community leaders at Powell High School auditorium. It was the second annual State of the Schools address and drew Mayor Tim Burchett, school board members, commissioners and business leaders. Powell High students had leading roles in the event, which was highlighted by a display of school technology in the lobby.
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(More coverage on pages A3-4.)
Old Vols hang together Marvin West looks for good things to say about Tennessee football: “I keep going back to old Volunteers. They do not disappoint. “Through the years, they keep caring about each other. They hang together like lodge brothers. In sad times, including those that end in heartbreak, they pick each other up as they once did on the field.” See Marvin’s story on page A-5
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Cemetery seeks mowing bids Fort Sumter Community Cemetery is accepting bids for mowing work for 2013. Contact the cemetery at 660-6949, see any board member or pick up forms at the cemetery between 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Sealed bids are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 7. The cemetery’s board of directors will hold its annual public meeting 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, in the cemetery office. All plot owners, families and interested persons are encouraged to attend.
4509 Doris Circle 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Theresa Edwards ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey | Patty Fecco Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at and distributed to 8,185 homes in Powell.
Instead of doing chemistry homework, Chris Kleinschmidt, a sophomore at the L&N STEM Academy, listens to an online lecture by teacher Glenn Arnold each evening. Then, during class time, Arnold answers questions and helps students work through problems. It’s called a flipped classroom, and it’s becoming more common across the country, Arnold said. Students are more likely to struggle with homework, so he’s available while they’re doing it. They can listen to the 15-minute lecture when it’s most convenient for them. “It’s shifted the responsibility to their hands,” he said, and it’s possible because every student at the STEM Academy is equipped with an iPad. Arnold was one of several teachers who brought students and examples of school technology to the State of the Schools presentation at Powell High School last week. Much of it was in the form of computers and software. But West High School physics teacher Joe Foy brought gadgets, including a dual range force sensor. Senior Indiana Laine said the sensor measures simple harmonic motion. Working with such equipment leads to a deeper understanding than learning from a book, she said. Austin-East math teacher Greg Allen demonstrated software that allows for individualized learning in his Algegra I class. The class goes to the computer lab three times a week, where students take a pre-test to determine what they need to work on. As they work independently, he monitors their progress. Hardin Valley Academy business teacher Vivian West demonstrated Edmodo, a social media platform that allows teachers to post agendas and assignments, and allows students to turn in assignments and ask questions. Students like it because it mimics the world they live in, she said. Sophomore Kane Smith says Edmodo makes school easier. Email is awkward, he said, and posting questions on Edmodo helps everyone in the class. Dr. Jim McIntyre wants to put a computer in the hands of every student and teacher at 10 schools during the next budget year. It’s a step back from the ambitious five-year program for all schools presented, but not funded, last year. But it’s a step forward in equipping our kids for real world life and careers.
School board member Kim Sepesi (orange sweater) greets school leaders at Powell High School on Tuesday. Pictured are Nakia Towns, Dr. Elizabeth Alves, Gail Byard, Sepesi and Dr. Rick Grubb. Photo by S. Clark
Kroger airport rezoning delayed The second hot button topic involved codes enforcement (or lack of same). Gayle Barker brought pictures taken the day before showing dozens of By Sandra Clark vendors set up in front North Knox resiof the abandoned Indents packed the gle’s store on Clinton Powell Branch LiHighway. brary last Thursday Others brought for Commissioner R. copies of last week’s Larry Smith’s “night Larry Smith and Cindy Pionke Tommy, Teresa Montgomery Shopper which picout” event. tured dirty lots. Two topics domiCodes enforcement nated the discussion: Kroger re- is inside the city of Knoxville, alzoning and codes. though neighbors are outside the officer April Clifton explained that Tommy and Teresa Montgomery city, in Knox County. County en- her territory is in Halls and East provided information about the gineer Cindy Pionke said the city Knox County, but promised to Kroger Company’s efforts to install would be responsible for enforcing pass along the complaints to the fill dirt along Beaver Creek on the environmental regulations on the correct inspector. She said residents are allowed one inoperable site of the old Powell Airport. site. Kroger is eyeing 18 acres of the Debra Sauls said her biggest (or unlicensed) vehicle per lot. concern is the city’s doing away “One and only one,” she told folks 80-acre tract for a new store. The Montgomerys, along with with the floodway zone, providing who came to dispute charges of Dr. Bob Collier and others, spoke a wider swath for construction. codes violations. Property Assessor Phil Balto Knoxville City Council Feb. 5, This will have a detrimental effect on properties and waterways. lard was just happy that no one requesting a delay. “We need for people to know “There will be repercussions up was yelling at him. But that could about this,” Teresa Montgomery and down the Beaver Creek water- change following the next reapshed,” she said. praisal. said later. Montgomery said Kroger ofTodd Cook, newly named com“We live on Overton Lane, directly across Beaver Creek from ficials had promised a meeting missioner for Hallsdale-Powell (the proposed site). If (Kroger) fills with residents before the next City Utility District, encouraged resiin the flood plain, the water will Council vote. She said the meeting dents to ask him anything. He will be facilitated by Commission- drew a small crowd in one corner come over on us.” The airport land, owned by the er Smith and City Council member of the room. Jonathan Griswold represented Mayor Tim Burchett. heirs of Norman and Ruth Mayes, Mark Campen.
Powell residents ask for codes enforcement
Sepesi wants security check at Powell schools By Sandra Clark School board member Kim Sepesi asked Dr. Jim McIntyre to add Powell Middle School and Hardin Valley Academy to a “random” sample of schools slated for security inspections. Knox County government and the Public Building Authority are suing the contractor that installed security at these schools which were built with PBA as project manager. Dale Smith, who heads PBA, told the school board the contractor “has worked in all of your schools.
“And from my perspective has failed two out of two times.” Sepesi asked McIntyre specifically if “anything needs to be done at Powell Middle School.” “That’s a judgment question,” McIntyre responded. “We have functional (security) equipment ... but they have not met the specs of the contract. That’s the reason for litigation.” Board chair Karen Carson pointed out the school board is not a party to the litigation, and she asked Law Director Bud Armstrong whether his office had advised the Mayor’s Office of the
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suit. “You would sit and talk with your client(s) on any lawsuit,” he said. Meanwhile, the school system’s security chief, Steve Griffin, has been suspended with Beverly pay awaiting a report on his relationship with the contractor. Acting security chief is Rodney Beverly, a former KPD patrol officer who has worked for Knox County Schools since 1992.
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See page A-9
The face of school technology
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Do not call the Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy an alternative school if you’re within earshot of principal Kim Towe, who will politely set you straight: “We are a nontraditional school, and we value the fact that we work with our students individually. And we value the fact that they are on a non-traditional learning plan.”
E. Em or
Miracle Maker
By Wendy Smith
Maynardville HWY.
Read Bean’s column on page A-4
922-4780
February 11, 2013
State of the Schools comes to Powell
Buy bulbs! Plant flowers!
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VOL. 52 NO. 6
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