Parent Meeting at Farragut High School about Hardin Valley High School

UPDATE: One of the Brian’s Blog reporters has revealed that last night at the meeting, the comment was made that Concord Road and the lake would make natural borders. But, they say that no lines have been drawn. That appears to be “borderline dishonest”, in the words of the Democrat nominee for Governor. The reporter also indicated that the school district made the statement last night it will take many years for the Hardin Valley community to sustain this high school on its own. All the more evidence that this site location was a poor choice.

There were comments how those individuals living in the new Farragut zip code of 37934 should go to the high school exclusively. It appeared to many at the parent meeting last night that Farragut’s 37934 has become the East Tennessee version of 90210. The Town of Farragut is home to the recent Super Sweet 15 as detailed in the News-Sentinel on Sunday.

First of all, Kudos to Thomas Deakins and Cindy Buttry (Sixth and Third District School Board members) for attending the entire parent meeting. Others couldn’t stay. One previous engagement was revealed in a previous post.

Second, The Knox County Schools PR Department refused to provide handouts to those in attendance. The information is not even on the Schools website, which should have been loaded onto the website this afternoon, prior to the meeting. The PR Representative said they would try and load it onto the website tomorrow.

Third, the Transportation Representative indicated several times that it is 8 miles from Westland Drive to Hardin Valley High School on the Pellissippi Parkway, thus indicating that Hardin Valley High School will become the West Valley Middle School Northwest.

The Town of Farragut appears to be holding the current Farragut High School hostage to only be used for the town folks. The transportation Representative evidently hasn’t driven from Village Green to the Hardin Valley site, however a Brian’s Blog reporter has been dispatched to do that.

Placing bus loads of students on the Pellissippi Parkway with speed limits of 70 mph and crossing I-40 is a short sighted fix. Short? There is a line there. Brian’s Blog is digressing.

So it appears to the several Brian’s Blog reporters in attendance that if you live in the West Valley Middle School zone, you likely will be zoned for Hardin Valley High School. There will be another meeting at Bearden High School on October 9, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. and Karns High School on October 12, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

One parent rose at the meeting and informed the School Board and staff. “You are not ready for this meeting.” Many parents left in shock of the lack of preparation on the staff and Boards part.