The Fugate Challenge

Swinging for the fence Education overcomes When John Fugate challenged ignorance just as light Buzz Thomas, Indya Kincannon and dispels darkness.

Virginia Babb on their support for a Dr. Jim McIntyre $35 million increase for Knox County and 8 of 9 school board Schools, I challenged John back. members know we need “Come with me to two schools of $35 million to power your choosing. See what teachers, Knox County Schools principals and kids are doing. And forward. For several then tell us how you feel.” years, the school sysSandra Clark, Shopper-News editor That was The Fugate Challenge. tem’s budget has grown John, the manager of the Comby bunts – just enough mercial Bank in Fountain City and a general to maintain the status quo. good sport, accepted. So off we went. And I It’s time for our community to swing for failed to close the sale. the fence. We’ve got the right leadership, the Embarrassing? Yes. right plan and the commitment to change Disappointing? You bet. and improve. Now we need the money to Defeating? Never. make it happen. Please help!

By Sandra Clark

Fugate says ‘not now’

By John Fugate My grandson and I joined Sandra Clark and school board member Indya Kincannon on May 15 for a tour of the L&N STEM Academy and Whittle Springs Middle School. The principals and staff greeted us with a warm welcome and explained what their schools are doing to prepare students for their next level of education.

The primary purpose of this tour was to provide me with a better understanding of how tax dollars are spent to provide a quality learning environment for students in these and similar schools in the county. The information I received was also designed to help clarify the need for the additional $35 million requested by the school board, especially since Mayor Tim Burchett has approved an additional $13 million for the schools in the 2012-13 budget.

I have not only learned more about our local school system but have also received multiple comments from Knox County residents regarding the request for additional funding. As a banker, I am responsible for advising my customers on investments that will yield the greatest dividends. Taxpayers, likewise, want to know

John Fugate at STEM Academy

what the return on their tax dollar will be and how their communities will benefit.

Among those who spoke to me during the past few days are teachers, parents, business people and retirees.

I was very impressed with the level of engagement on the part of teachers and students at Whittle Springs. This school has struggled to move forward academically as they experienced loss of a funding source, outdated teaching tools, equipment in need of repair and lack of materials needed to perform at a competitive level. Nonetheless, the staff at Whittle Springs has gone the “extra mile” to help students improve test scores and reading skills – even working overtime

when needed. They cited a cooperative spirit on the part of the Central Office in working with them to make significant improvements in test scores and, thus, academic ranking.

I was awed by what I observed at Knoxville’s relatively new STEM Academy.

This magnet high school is a model of learning for now and the future which offers students expanded educational opportunities. With the help of funding from the Knox County Board of Education and local partnerships, STEM Academy stands as a center of excellence and a result of wellinvested tax dollars.

My assessment of what I’ve learned in a few short days from representatives of the school system and local residents is one of high expectations for the students of Knox County.

As a former educator with family members who work in both the K-12 and Adult Education systems funded by Knox County, I believe that we must take care of our nation-builders – our teachers – providing them with the materials, technology and support they need to operate on the cutting edge.

Current and additional

funds must assure quality education by rewarding accountable instructors who view teaching as a “calling” rather than a job.

New construction should be considered but perhaps funded separately on an “as needed” basis rather than placed in the operating budget. During this time of economic downturn and struggles of families to meet financial obligations, I believe that taxpayers want to know that their taxes support a lean budget that eliminates waste and provides safe schools and quality education. They want their tax dollars spent as proposed and all outcomes of these expenditures to be made public.

At this time, I believe that most taxpayers prefer a delay in additional taxes.

I want to thank all those who have enlightened me to some of the great opportunities afforded Knox County students: Sandra Clark, Indya Kincannon, Dr. Jill Hobby and staff and Becky Ashe and staff. I also want to challenge all Knox County taxpayers to be informed about and to become more involved in our educational system.

The decisions we make today will inform the future of our children and grandchildren.

Answers to FAQ

By Indya Kincannon (Editor’s Note: Indya Kincannon arranged the school tours for The Fugate Challenge, and she responded in writing to 10 questions submitted by Fugate. Space limits a complete list, but here are two questions and answers.)

Q: What percentage of the $35 million goes to teachers?

A: We plan to spend 70 percent of the new monies directly on teachers, paying them more for working more, paying teachers more for getting great outcomes for their students, adding teacher positions, adding more and better teacher training.

An additional 8.5 percent is for IT, which really helps teachers, too. So I’d say 79 percent of the investment is going directly to supporting teachers in schools.

The balance is on student supports, magnet schools and community schools (a program to help high poverty schools with non-academic services, so kids are healthy and well-nourished, which is a pre-requisite for learning).

Here’s a full breakdown: More instructional time (like what you saw at Whittle Springs) 22% Teacher support (more positions, coaches, training) - 22% Technology & IT support - 8% Strategic compensation - 26% Magnet schools - 7% Student Enrichement/Intervention: 7% Community Schools - 5% Inf lation/Contingency - 3% Q: Is the timing right to increase

Indya Kincannon

Indya Kincannon, vice chair, Knox County school board

taxes? How will citizens know how the $$ are spent and what the outcomes are?

A: We haven’t had a property tax increase since 1998. Even with a 35 cent tax increase Knox County would still have lower taxes than any other municipal county in the state. The economy is recovering, which is how the Mayor was able to recommend a $13 million increase without a tax increase. But that $13m only allows us to maintain the status quo. Of that $13m, $7m is used to roll 136 teaching positions that had been saved by stimulus dollars back into the general fund.

The remaining $6m is used for conventional salary step increases for all employees and a 2 percent raise for teachers.

Investing in education will abet further recovery, increase property values and improve our chances of high quality economic development. We have a detailed spending plan on-line as well as benchmarks and performance goals to measure our progress.

We will issue reports at least annually so the public can see our progress, and know the return on the investment.

Whittle Springs gets results Traditionally, once schools show growth,

By Sandra Clark some mandated supports can be removed.

Whittle Springs Middle School serves kids “We hope that we will be able to continue from poor families with almost 85 percent of the students eligible to receive free or reour layers of intervention, but without seduced price lunch. The school showed poor cure funding, there are no guarantees,” academic achievement despite the best efsaid Hobby.

Note: We did not photograph students at forts of a succession of principals and teachWhittle Springs because of privacy concerns. ers.

But we did talk with individuals. A couple of 8th Three years ago, Dr. Jim McIntyre sent grade girls explained the AVID program: Dr. Jill Hobby to Whittle. “I was sent here to We were selected because our 5th grade get results,” she says. test scores showed we could succeed in colAnd the results are there to see. Hobby lege, they said, taking turns talking. Through makes it easy. They’re posted on the walls middle school, we took notes in every class. of the main hallway. Teachers are listed by In the summers we spent time on a college name; students by a 3-digit number. campus … Pellissippi, Carson-Newman, UT. In 2011, Whittle Springs ranked in the Sure, it’s extra work, but it has paid off. Both top three of Knox County’s middle schools of us got accepted to the STEM Academy. in every category – math, science, reading/ Note taking and time management in language arts and social studies – in valuegeneral are important life skills, Hobby added gains. said. The students are coached in these And it’s no mystery why. areas with college attendance the expec“It’s time spent with kids,” says Hobby.

Whittle Springs has patched together tation.

Meeting these girls was the most touchmoney to fund: ing part of The Fugate Challenge. We saw ■ Morning ICU tutoring (daily at 7:15 Dr. Jill Hobby shows increases on standardized tests, some remarkable. Photos by S. Clark more than an emphasis on test-taking and a.m.) statistics. We met two kids who believe ■ After school tutoring (3:45 to 4:45 they can succeed academically and they’re work with small groups of striving students in math and willing to take on extra work to make that happen. They Monday/Thursday) reading.

■ SES tutoring (3:45 to 4:45 Wednesday/Friday) see long-term to a better life for themselves and their fami“Increased instructional time with students equals aca- lies through education.

■ Saturday School (9:30 to 11:30) Wow. ■ Intervention pull-outs by teachers and teaching as- demic growth,” says Hobby. “There is no permanent funding source for this successful initiative without the school sistants board approved budget.”

■ SPED Envoy Academy after school In fact, Whittle may lose some of this year’s funding be■ Advanced reading program using high school novels ■ Time card tutors – retired teachers coming back to cause of its success – dollars targeted for failing schools.

More from Whittle Springs, inside

A-2 • MAY 21, 2012 • SHO HOPPER H OPPPPER E --NEWS

Who’s who at the AJ Searching for ‘bloated bureaucracy’

By Jake Mabe Author’s Note: During a forum held by school board chair Thomas Deakins at Hardin Valley Academy on May 10, an audience member said, “I just do not believe your numbers (of the school system’s central office staff). … The only way to do it, I guess, would be to go floor-to-floor (at the Andrew Johnson Building).”

That is exactly what I did for nearly four hours on May 15. With a couple of exceptions, I visited every floor and talked with everyone I could. For those who were out or unavailable, I talked to other office personnel, followed up by phone or received a requested sketch of their departments. The majority of the staff with whom I visited did not know I was coming.

The very definition of “central office” is disputed.

County Commissioner Tony Norman defines central office staff as “all personnel whose performance review is not assigned to a school building level administrator.”

Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre says that would “include all food service, custodial and maintenance personnel as well as many teachers who serve multiple schools, school psychologists, social workers and instructional coaches. None of these personnel are involved in district administration or even administration at the building level.”

At press time, Norman had not responded to my May 14 request for an interview.

Here are my findings from my Andrew Johnson Building tour: ■

Lobby

In addition to the Public Building Authority security officer, the lobby also contains the office of the Great Schools Partnership, a separate, nonprofit organization that serves as a think tank and fundraiser for school initiatives. Its budget is separate from the school system. Knox County Probation and the Community Mediation Center office are both separate from Knox County Schools (KCS).

Lisa Wagoner supervises health services which includes 50-plus school nurses (including Wagoner) that serve students with daily or ongoing needs, some 500 procedures a day.

A recent large project was the 7th grade immunization at each middle school.

Has two secretaries, Rita Giles and Terri Lynch-Polos.

Says, “We used to have three nurses (until 2009) who do what I do by myself now.”

System-wide nutritionist is Carolyn Perry-Burst.

Aneisa McDonald, Coordinated School Health specialist, whose office is funded by the state, also works here, assisted by Audrey Randles.

Omar McCarty manages the mail room as “an army of one.” Ensures mail needs are met at the AJ and at all 88 schools. Retired postal supervisor and Vietnam vet.

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First floor

David Sanders, the system’s lawyer, is funded by the county law director’s office.

Jim McIntyre: The superintendent’s office includes McIntyre’s administrative assistant, Kay Good; school board executive assistant Terri Coatney; chief-of-staff

Russ Oaks; and Oaks’s assistant, Mary Martin.

Brian Hartsell supervises enrollment and transfers. Processes transfers, dropouts, disciplinary appeals, zero tolerance questions, attendance, some mailings, bullying complaints, discipline appeals to the school board.

Also tracks and oversees ent changes. daily enrollment dministrative Assisted by administrative nny Farmer secretary Penny and enrollmentt administrabb. tor Justin Grubb.

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Mezzanine ne (aka Second floor)

Melissa Copelan opelan difairs. The ofrects public affairs. fice answers the district’s ne lines, hanfour main phone dled in human n resources until this year. r. Office includes Jenniferr Faddis who splits time with ith Partners in Education, and Melissa Tauscher, who handles most ng calls. KCS of the incoming averages more than 1,700 h, spiking to calls per month, ust.

2,406 last August. yd handles Faye Boyd ting services. forms and printing n supervises Scott Bacon ucation with Partners in Education itator Mary program facilitator oney through Kerr. Raises money ucation Dine Out for Education and Coupon Books; munity fosters community gh the support through Teacher Supplyy Depot, Schooled for Sucpal cess, Principal for a Day, thee annual Career Fair, the Barney Thompson Scholarships to high school seniors, and the PIE Advi-This sory Board. (This mber of writer is a member oard.) that advisory board.) cer oversees Gary Spencer the district’s Educament tion Management Sys Information System, a project created by the Knoxville Chamber to monitor test results and operational expenses.

A retired executive, Spencer manages “hundreds of millions of data points.”

Tracey Matthews supervises family and community engagement. Developed district staff manual and eight professional development videos in reaction to a state law requiring all school districts to comply with six standards of community engagement.

Teaches Parent University Classes. Coordinates the activities of the District Advisory Council requirement of Title I. Spearheads one-day Parent Conference for those with Title I students, partnering with Project Grad and the Knox County Council PTA. ■

Third floor

Jon Dickl directs food services. Handles applications for free/reduced lunch and ensures KCS complies with state and federal regulations. Assisted by Pam Brice; school area leaders Cindy Cline, Warren Davis, Kristin Dewine, Margaret Lis and Sharon Meady; payroll assistant Teresa Cox; senior field managers Mary Nell Harvey, Wanda McCown and Rita Teffeteller; Brandy Lambert, child nutrition technology; free and reduced lunch specialist Terry Matthews; and equipment specialist Linda Whittle.

Rebecca Owens directs benefits and labor relations. Assists employees with paperwork and explains benefits. Investigates issues/complaints from employees and others concerning but not limited to Title

VI, Title IX, ADA, GINA and employee misconduct. Assisted by benefits manager Kristin Blanton, billing clerk Angie Corum, insurance manager Ashley Huffaker, retirement manager Robin Moody, administrative secretary Tina Needham, safety engineer Adam Parson, administrative secretaries Bunny Seymour and Alice Sims; and investigator Rebecca Wuethrich.

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Charlene Gammon; and school psychologists Pat Lukosius and Linda Ross.

Transition: To assist students with disabilities in transitioning from KCS to adult life are Michelle Flynn, secretary Lauren Mayes, consultant Michelle Pittman and consultant/TCI coordinator Jeffrey Wright. pp Student Support Services staff mem-

Fourth floor

Doug Dillingham oversees facilities. Charged with long-range planning, development, and construction of new facilities and the remodeling/additions to current facilities.

Coordinates capital i m provem e n t projects, roof/ HVAC projects,

modular classroom additions and relocations and physical plant upgrades.

Assisted by contract administrator William Anderson III and site manager Dennis Webster.

Rick Grubb directs transportation.

Oversees 110 bus contractors that operate 350 buses, all but five running at least two loads, that log 11,000 miles per day, including service to in-zone and No Child Left Behind transfers. Uses the School Messenger System, which replaced ParentLink, to notify parents of bus delays or malfunctions by text, email and/or phone.

Validates bus drivers. Places GPS phones on every bus which are monitored and tracked in real time to include data such as location, speed and direction traveling; oversees driver compliance and driver photo badges with Justin Grubb, sends out almost 60,000 mailers to parents at the start of the school year. Assisted by router Nancy Calway, administrative secretary Frankie DeBusk, special ed router Ryan Dillingham, lead supervisor Jeff Graves, driver compliance supervisor Gayla Huffaker, contractor compliance facilitator Rhonda Kinsey, team leader Scott Sexton, and seven to eight part-time employees ranging from college students to adults.

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Fifth floor

Psychological Services: On call to assist principals and teachers with assessment and referrals and to help when a school, student or staff member is faced with unforeseen crisis or tragedy are teaching assistants Diane Dykes and

b D li i special i l bers Dr. R Ron C Carlini, education consultants Mollie Seay, Sherry Grubb and Marcy Hughes, and secretary Kim Renfro work out of offices on this floor.

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Sixth floor

Dave Armstrong handles the KCS website (which averages 40,000 to 50,000 visits per day M-F) and consults with building level administrators on each school’s website. Photographs various KCS events.

Erik Hutson directs KCS-TV Productions. Sets schedule for programming aired on KCS-TV (available on Comcast Cable Channel 10 and on AT&T’s U-Verse) and makes it available on the KCS website. Records all school board meetings for live broadcasts and compresses them into web-archived videos; makes training videos, and all videos for the website, about 100 in total. Records any district-wide videos, such as the annual band expo or the superintendent’s State of the Schools address.

Built the school system’s web video delivery system “from the ground up.” Says station has a “zero budget” and is using equipment (some more than 30 years old) donated

by Community TV of Knoxville. Gearing all content to play on mobile devices as well as computers.

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Seventh floor

The seventh floor houses the Public Building Authority, separate from KCS. ■

Eighth floor

Homebound Services, Homeless Education/Special Education Records: Houses all Special Education student data and processes documents for electronic storage. Staff

members: Supervisor Cheryl Hill, secretary for homebound pregnancy and Easy IEP (Individual Education Plan) Christy Naill; administrative secretaries: records management, Kelly Rhines; Easy IEP, Kathy Russell; records management Chandra Sims, homebound services, Kelly Wright; and RN health services/medical case manager for home/hospital instruction, Debbie Wood.

Psychological Services: Process all school psychological a ssessments a nd

evaluations.

Determines l ti D t i eligibility for Special Ed. Oversees a “therapeutic professional partnership” with licensed psychologists who help students with emotional issues. Supervisor is Dr. Clovis Stair, assisted by secretaries Susan Lambert and Connie Strange.

Social Services, Home School and Guidance: elementary counselor coach Martha Masterson, secondary counselor coach Anne Troutman, secretary Becky Henson and special ed specialist Heather Willis.

Special Ed Support: Lead supervisor Susan Bolt, specialists Bibi Burnett and Barbara Wrushen, supervisor Teresa Clark; and secretaries Tammie Beckner and Sally Hickey.

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Ninth floor

Melissa Massie directs student support services and special education; administrative assistant is Shellie Jenkins. Office includes special ed supervisor Deb Forcina, assistant Annie Ewoldt; consultant Martha Iroff, specialists Rita Camper and Nicki Nye and their secretary, Valinda Hubbs; educational program and general education/special education supervisor Becky Sharpe; Linda Sharp, secretary for Massie and Sharpe; and consultant Summer Tucker.

Ginnae Harley: Directs Title I federal programs in high poverty areas, based on the number of free and reduced lunch students. Funds are distributed to Title I schools for additional personnel, the purchase of materials and supplies and staff development. Helps 37 Title I schools in math and reading only and supports school

improvement plans. Oversees supervisor in each Title I school. $3.5 million received in the Race to the Top grant is audited quarterly and funded more master teachers and updated technology at Austin-East High, South-Doyle High, Bearden Middle, West High, Carter High, Central High and Fulton High. Also services private schools with Title I zoned students. Supervisors are Dr. Steven Wright and Cheryl Martin. Department has one secretary; two others left last January and March and the positions have not been filled.

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10th floor

Vicki Neubert coordinates AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) college-readiness program, designed to increase the number of students who successfully enroll in college. Targets students in the academic “middle” (students with a 2.0 to 3.5 grade point average) who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard.

AVID is a scheduled elective class that meets during the school day.

Instructional Department: Reports to assistant superintendent Dr. Donna Wright. Personnel: Language arts/reading supervisor (K12) Jane Ailor, administrative assistant (for three departments) Vickie Beckers, administrative assistant (for two departments) Carolynn Bilbo, elementary math specialist Libby Burney, TAP executive master teacher Margo Dalimonte, high school ELA instructional coach Julie Givens, administrative assistant (Title II and TAP) Brenda Greenlee, social studies instructional coach (K-12) Judy Newgent, science supervisor (K-12) Theresa Nixon, middle school ELA instructional coach Linda Perry, math supervisor (K-12) Gary Petko, athletics supervisor Marion Quinn, language arts and reading supervisor (K-5) Janet Sexton, social studies supervisor Millicent Smith, grant writing and management, Carole Wilson (who has brought in more than $3 million in grants from 200912) and TAP director Keith Wilson.

Every book approved to be used or read in a classroom must be read first.

“We have no life. We are here many Saturdays,” she said. “But it is worth it.”

Humanities: World languages specialist Alyson Lerma; English Languages Learners specialist Donna Stapleton, assisted by Rhonda Davis. Four assistants positions were eliminated last year on this floor.

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11th floor

Gail Byard oversees Technology/IT. Includes active directory, student information systems, computer repair, instructional technology, networking, payroll/ human resources information system, special education technology and help desk. Assisted by technology director Bill Parker, IT specialists Richard Baughman, Steve Glenn, Brandy Lambert, Guy Respess, Steve Rudder, Joe Snyder and Beau Stanley; network administrator/team lead Larry Brothers, active directory administrator Freddie Cox; IT asset manager John Dendrinos, active directory administrator Billy Ellis, school technology specialist Tom Harless, administrative assistant Pat Hodge, programmer/analysts Kyle Pope and Jondale Stratton, computer technician Jason Summers, help desk operators Carol Tiller and Julie Wolfenbarger, and computer operator Mary Wilkerson.

SHOPPER-NEWS • MAY 21, 2012 • A-3

Whittle Springs tackles reading ■

Read, read, read

Reading is basic, says Whittle principal Jill Hobby. “And each year some students arrive at elementary schools already behind in basic academic and/or social skills. Although the principals and teachers at Whittle/Fulton feeder schools work hard to catch them up, for each of the past three years, 60 percent of our students have entered 6th grade reading on a 2nd or 3rd grade level.

“We must grow students to have them ready for high school. We place a huge emphasis on reading in each content area.”

On the hallway wall, a chart reflects reading gains based on Lexile testing.

Each student is identified by number. Hobby says a range of 60 to 100 reflects a year’s worth of growth, yet results for 2011-12 showed gains of 200 to 300 for many Whittle students.

A student came in with a score of 244 and increased to 530 – a one-year gain of 286 points. Another started higher, with a score of 929.

That student increased by 86 points to 1,015.

Hobby credits “targeted intervention” for these gains. Whittle is slated to lose $30,000 in Title I funds next year, money that has funded extended day tutoring, technology and time card tutors for students in small groups. The school board’s budget includes money for tutors for students falling behind.

Accountability, you say?

How about this: TCAP writing scores (8th graders proficient) at Whittle Springs: 2000 – 63% 2001 – 80% 2002 – 81% 2003 – 80% 2004 – 77% 2005 – 74% 2006 – 69% 2007 – 80%

2008 – 83% 2009 – 78% 2010 – 86% 2011 – 87.33% 2012 – (embargoed, but the teachers were amazed at the results received two weeks ago) Math scores, value added scores and TCAP scores in general show dramatic gains.

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Academies

Choral teacher by day, academy director by afternoon. That’s Bailey Chambers, principal of the Whittle Springs After-School Academy.

All WSMS students are eligible for tutoring in reading, math and TCAP preparation. The Academy meets from 3:45 to 4:45 on Mondays and Thursdays. The Academy is free and snacks are provided. Bus service is provided to Richard Yoakley (formerly Alice Bell Elementary), Belle Morris Elementary, Lincoln Park Tech

Center, Christenberry Rec Center, and the Boys and Girls Club on Caswell Ave. so that transportation does not get in the way of someone staying after school for extra support.

The Academy is popular among students, Hobby said. One boy even asked when the make-up would be for a session canceled because of a tornado warning.

The principalship is good training for young teachers, she added.

First Class Tutoring is an SES program offered at no cost to parents whose children participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch program. First Class provides transportation home following after-school tutoring, a mini-meal, and small group tutoring in math and reading. It met on Wednesdays and Fridays. Only certified teachers served as tutors, and Jen Tedder served as coordinator.

Family Engagement events were scheduled almost weekly during the school year. “We had about 250 to 300 people at each event,” says Hobby. An incentive was a mini-meal from Chick-fil-A. An example is the Jan. 12 Math Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Refreshments were provided while parents and children played games in-

Jan Chiles, 7th grade reading teacher at Whittle Springs, talks with John Fugate, left) and his grandson. Joseph.

volving math. Other events were scheduled during the day so parents could interact with students and/ or hear special speakers.

Mother-daughter spa night was a huge hit, especially when Dr. Hobby gave makeovers.

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Eight opportunities for community volunteers were offered, coordinated

by Jen Tedder, social worker and behavior liaison, and Shanawaski Davis and Tiffany Davidson, campus managers for Project GRAD. Info: 594-4474.

Conclusion

Sent to get results.

Got results.

Will funds be there to sustain the programs that brought the gains?

We will know when County Commission votes on May 30. Stay tuned.

Who’s who at the AJ ■

12th floor

Dr. Jean Heise as humanities supervisor has replaced several supervisors including those for physical education, health and wellness, art, music, world languages. Assisted by Walter Mencer (instrumental music), Richard Mitchell (choral music), Dr. Fred Patterson (art) and Alyson Lerma (world languages, who works on the 10th floor). Tracy Davis is an administrative assistant to Dr. Heise. Lisa Hickson is the humanities administrative assistant.

Elementary Instruction: Elementary supervisors Donna Howard and Susan Turner; Pre-K specialist Carol Idol and assistant Angie Satterfield; elementary supervisor Kelly Johnson, administrative secretary Margaret Wade, and literacy specialist Theresa Wishart.

Dr. Daphne Odom and assistant Ashley Satterfield oversee magnet and gifted/ talented programs.

Dianne Buck, manager, Tom Dockery and Steve Johnston handle publication and print services. Off-set printing services are housed at the Knox Central building, where the print department rotates existing personnel.

instruction, including staff on floors 9, 10, 12 and 14).

Supervises executive directors: Nancy Maland (elementary ed; her administrative assistant is Jeana Findley), Dr. Clifford Davis (secondary education) and Ed Hedgepath (middle/ secondary education, who is retiring); their administrative assistant is Cindy Price. Davis will become the executive director for all secondary education while concentrating on middle schools and Dr. Jon Rysewyk will supervise the 15 high schools. Wright’s administrative assistant is Linda Ward, who is retiring. Senior advisor for high needs schools is Montina Jones; her assistant is Jane Toppins.

Dr. Elizabeth Alves monitors test results, oversees K-12 curriculum (to achieve test goals) and monitors compliance with all federal regulations. Assisted by supervisors: research and development, John Beckett; testing, Laurie Driver; accountability analyst Clint Sattler, deputy accountability officer Krista Tibbs; and administrative assistants Cindy Fowler and Patti LaBello.

try), Human Resource Generalists Sandie Johnson, Leanne Robillard, Dreama Feezell and Christine Wolf (evaluations, tenure, posts Certified vacancies in SearchSoft); HR Specialists Stacey Dykes (substitutes, Aesop System).

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16th floor

Bob Thomas and Ron McPherson: Thomas is assistant superintendent for administrative services.

McPherson is executive director of finance.

McPherson’s department performs daily accounting functions such as journal entries, budget line-item transfers, deposit of funds, etc., monitors account balances, fund balances, and revenue collections and trends for KCS funds; coordinates with other KCS departments on financial issues; balances major construction projects and federal grants, prepares the monthly Interim Financial Report for the KCS operating fund and School Nutrition Program (financial status reports), prepares the monthly status report on KCS construction projects, assists with the preparation of the KCS annual operating budget; co■ 13th floor ■ 15th floor ordinates federal and state Tradition and superstiDr. Kathy Sims directs funding applications and tion in the hotel industry human resources including reporting requirements mean the Andrew Johnson personnel records, termina- for grants and projects, Building has no 13th floor. tions, absences, evaluations prepares the annual Puband staffing for all schools. lic School Financial Re■ 14th floor Supported by, Rodney Rus- port and the annual PubDr. Donna Wright: sell, Nakia Towns and Team lic School Budget report Oversees curriculum and Leader Kelly Cross (data en- submitted to the state, and

provides support for reconciliation of fringe benefits and payroll.

McPherson says even paying roughly 7,500 employees is not as simple as cutting a check. Contracts are different for various positions. Payroll is roughly $20 million a month.

Hamilton County, which serves 42,000 students on a $312 million operating budget, has roughly 25 employees in budget and finance. Knox County, which serves 56,000 students on an operating budget of $380 million, has 19 such employees.

Compensation Department personnel: compensation support, Mike Atkins, Marty Danford, Lynne Flynn, Brenda Tindell, Katie Yarber; supervisor Krisden Parrott; and team leader Ada Pratt.

Finance personnel: federal grants accountant Leah Ashley, accounting clerk Barbara Brown; food service accountant Michelle Henson, supervisor of accounting Kevin Wilson.

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17th floor

Part of the accounting and finance department.

Personnel: accounts payable clerks Diane Beeler, Paul Jenkins (warehouse operations), clerk Judy Lewis, Omar McCarty Jr. (parttime), Bonnie Spicer (purchase orders), and finance/ accounts payable supervisor Roger Underwood.

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Conclusion

After touring the AJ, hearing job descriptions Jake and seeing staff members Mabe at work, reading the central administration return on investment report, counting trends in the central office over the last 10 years and comparing departments with those in other Tennessee school districts, I utterly reject the myth that the KCS Central Office is bloated bureaucracy.

In 2001, an independent management and performance review concluded that the KCS CO administration is “understaffed when compared to its peers” and said KCS spent less for administration than any of its peer districts, with the staffing level 55 percent below peer districts. The findings 11 years ago still ring true.

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics found in fiscal year 2008 that among the 100 largest U.S. school districts (Knox County is 74th), KCS ranks seventh in the percentage of its budget that is dedicated to instruction and instructional support. The district tied for 100th in the proportion of total positions committed to school district administration.

Significant central office administrative staffing reductions and adjustments, including eliminating more than a dozen positions in FY 2012, have been made since 2009.

The Central Office underwent a major reorganization in 2011. Over the last four fiscal years, the majority of the $14.7 million increase in the total operating budget has gone to classroom instruction and instructional support ($10.4 million). Five million dollars has gone to Debt Service and other district-level requirements.

Central Office administrative and support totals have dropped from a 10-year high of 230.5 in the fall of 2008 to 211 as of this March.

Facts are facts. Anyone who tries to argue to the contrary should take a tour of the AJ Building floor by floor, read this data, which is available at knoxschools.org, and perform a comparative analysis with KCS’s peer districts.

Otherwise, you are either pandering to a myth, have a personal ax to grind or are living in “The Twilight Zone.”

A-4 • MAY 21, 2012 • SHO HOPPER H OPPPPER E --NEWS

All aboard!

For learning adventures at the L&N

By Sandra Clark Imagine … a high school where every teacher knows every kid by sight and name … a school where students want to be and everyone is equipped with an iPad … a place where teachers work before- and after-hours to develop curricula.

Imagine the L&N STEM Academy.

The place looks like a race track with donor logos pasted randomly about. Financial sponsor JCPenney has a logo on the school’s entry into the robotics competition.

The room for physical education looks like the workout facility at the most modern health club. Principal Becky Ashe grabs the handles of an overhead resistance belt. “$120 each,” she says. “And we keep up with everyone’s progress on the computer over there.”

We visited the school during the one-hour lunch break. Kids eat for 30 minutes, either inside or on the porch, and then spend 30 minutes in advisory class for tutoring and life skills.

Some sell dance tickets in the cafeteria, while others cluster with iPads in small groups or alone.

Ashe says the lunch break is important since students might enter STEM knowing only one or two other students.

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That extra time comes in handy for visiting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals who frequently come for lunch with students. “They might make a presentation, but sometimes they just hang out.

It helps students to realize that engineers and professors are people just like them,” said Ashe.

The only foreign language is Latin, but nobody seems to mind. And the band includes “whatever you play.”

Halls guy Owen Sanders was excited to be accepted, and he’s asking his mom why he can’t just start now.

An 8th-grader wanting to skip summer??? Amazing.

A stroll on campus of the L&N STEM Academy shows the Sunsphere and World’s Fair Park up close and the University of Tennessee in the distance. Labs funded by B&W Y-12 and Provision Health Alliance occupy the former Butcher Shop restaurant and the school itself is the former L&N train station. The tour is led by principal Becky Ashe, at right, followed by Joseph Fugate, John Fugate and Indya Kincannon. Photos by S. Clark

station to be a contemporary high school. And she did it on the cheap. Then-Mayor Bill Haslam arranged for a city grant to pay the rent to ■ On tour property owners until the Becky Ashe is dynamic. A building conveys to Knox former teacher at West High County Schools, debt-free.

School and later the KCS Then McIntyre, alongscience supervisor, Ashe side the Great Schools Partwas helping Dr. Jim Mc- nership led by Buzz ThomIntyre interview prospec- as, secured grants to equip tive principals for the new specific areas. Among the STEM Academy when he first was a family grant to realized no one matched her fund the Haslam Commons. knowledge and enthusiasm.

This year’s iPads were “You know a lot about this,” obtained through a contrihe recalls. “What if you be- bution from local PetSafe come principal?” owner Randy Boyd and a McIntyre didn’t have to generous donation from ask twice.

ORAU, said Ashe. Parents Ashe assembled a faculty signed an agreement to and worked with construc- replace the devices if lost tion crews to prepare the for- or damaged. Only one has Alexis Campbell, a Powell resident, studies Latin on an iPad. mer restaurant and railroad been lost.

Science

“How is science different here?” we asked kids in class and was able to break away for teacher Frank Wood. He had his homeroom conversation. Wood, who came from Hardin Valley Academy, said L&N is about the basics.

“We don’t have underwater basket-weaving here. We focus on the core, on teaching the language of scientists.”

Next year Wood plans to offer “algebrysics,” a hybrid of algebra and physics which he’s developing, using manipulatives to make math more interesting.

He’s working with the school librarian to write a book called “Just the Facts,” an interactive program that will accept “keynote” files from students. Wood is developing STEM curricula which he and Ashe hope will be used by schools throughout the state.

Wood also sponsors the robotics club, a beforeschool activity. He showed us the basketball-shooting robot his students made for competition. The team didn’t win this year, but then L&N currently has only freshmen and sophomores. Wood is eager to set his “veterans” on stage next year.

Frank Wood, science teacher and robotics coach ■

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Conclusion

L&N Stem Academy functions like a charter school or even a private school under the auspices of Knox County Schools. The school demonstrates that a little money goes a long way with motivated students, enthusiastic teachers and involved parents.

And don’t overlook that dynamo named Becky Ashe.

L&N does not cherry-pick students. Each high school has an allocation based on enrollment. Students who apply are selected by lottery within their high school zone.

The classes and lesson plans devel-

oped here can be used across Knox County, if the Internet infrastructure is installed and money is funded for iPads or some type of personal device for each student at all schools.

Technology is everywhere, even in the smallest business. Yet Knox County schools fund technology with Coupon Books, PTAs and a prayer.

The school of the future is operating today at the L&N Academy.

Will the technology be pushed out to all students in all schools?

Depends on whether County Commission funds the $35 million increase requested by the school board.

They vote on May 30. Stay tuned.

Want to help?

Attend the Knox County Commission’s special budget meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at the City County Building.

Call the Commission office and say what you think: 215-2534 7 of 11 commissioners can make it happen.

Brad Anders

Richard Briggs

Mike Brown

Amy Broyles

Mike Hammond

Sam McKenzie

Tony Norman

Jeff Ownby

Ed Shouse

R. Larry Smith

Dave Wright

Math

Andrea Lawyer taught mathematics at Bearden High School before coming to the L&N. While the curriculum is similar, the technology makes a difference in how it’s taught, she said.

“All teachers (here) do live-time tutoring,” Ashe said. “The quality of the tool

makes a good teacher great.”

Lawyer calls it “real time teaching.” As she monitors students’ responses via iPad, she can see who knows what, who needs extra help with a concept or when the whole class “gets it.”

Students have “buy-in,” she said. Obviously teachers do too because Lawyer followed our tour down the hall, still talking.

She described emailing lesson assignments to students and learning from their responses.

“An incredibly shy student can communicate safely via email when he might be hesitant to speak up in class,” she said. Her own 1st grader recently made a PowerPoint presentation and learned to tell time through an “app.”

Technology has leaped ahead and it’s time for it to be used in Knox County Schools, she said.

Andrea Lawyer came to L&N from Bearden High School.