Last Sunday I posted this about the Knox County School Board Public Forum changes and then on Monday posted this also. It was because Vivian Underwood Shipe posting on Facebook that I was aware of this policy change. On Wednesday the School Board sent the policy change back to the Policy Review Committee which I believe is scheduled to meet again in late June. But Thanks to excellent Speakers that spoke Wednesday to the board. They were Vivian Underwood Shipe, Carl Wheeler, Constance Avery, Amelia Parker and David Hayes.
Several School Board members spoke in favor of cutting Forum to 4 minutes from 5 minutes and they spoke about reducing the Board Secretary’s time by having online sign-ups.
First of all, these 9 elected school board members asked to be Representatives and if, in the rare incidents, 100 people sign up, they owe it to the community to listen for 5 minutes x 100 people, that is 8 and a half hours of the community talking directly to the 9 people that asked for the job. A couple board members mentioned doozing off and not paying attention after so long, well if you can’t do the job. then move out of the way and let others do it. Again, by reducing 1 minute for 100 signs ups it is only 100 minutes, which is one hour and 40 minutes.
As for the efficiency on the Board Secretary, they could create a voicemail for people to leave the detail just like doctor’s offices have for prescription refill request. On busy months for public forum which is rare, have another Secretary in Central Office assist.
Here is what the board members said on Wednesday.
Here are the contact emails for the elected board members.
Chair Terry Hill terry.hill@knoxschools.org
Vice Chair Susan Horn susan.horn@knoxschools.org
Evetty Satterfield evetty.satterfield@knoxschools.org
Jennifer Owen
Tony Norman (NEW Email Address)
Virginia Babb
Patti Bounds
Mike McMillan
Kristi Kristy
The positions held by Jennifer Owen, Tony Norman, Susan Horn and Mike McMillan are up for primary election on March 3, 2020 and general election August 6, 2020. If one candidate receives 50% plus one on March 3rd then only one candidate advances to August 6, 2020. If no candidate in a district primary receives a majority, the top two advance to the general election.
Also, Terry Hill has appointed a Treasurer for a possible March 2020 primary campaign for County Commission Sixth District and Patti Bounds is considering a August or November 2020 challenge to State Rep. Bill Dunn.
More on this as it proceeds through policy review committee.
