This newsletter is to let you know some info about the race for school board. Weve had several people ask about this and at the meeting last night had comments from both of our speakers. So - to help you be better informed- were going to show what some people have been discussing. First up- the letter - Here is an article about the email that went out, supposedly by accident - We doubt that is the case. That is an under-handed tactic used in may campaigns. Whats the phrase? Better to ask for forgiveness than permission. (From the Knoxvile News Sentinel) A West High School parent said it wasn’t his intent for an email he sent to members of the school’s foundation board to get the attention it has, but he stands by every word. The email, which endorsed a school board candidate, received traction in the community after it was forwarded to an undisclosed number of people from the West High School Parent Teacher Student Organization email account on Friday.“I sent it as a concerned parent,” said David Schmid, who has children at West, Bearden Middle School and Sequoyah Elementary. “I did not send it to the PTSO and I don’t know how it got to them. I guess you always have to be careful with email, but I stand behind it.”Officials from the PTSO said the email from their account was a mistake.“The email was never intended for PTSO distribution. We regret the mistake was made,” said Amy Evans, the organization’s president, in a statement to the News Sentinel. “The West PTSO does not endorse any one specific candidate. West High PTSO is taking affirmative steps to advise the PTSO members that the West High PTSO does not endorse any candidate.”Schmid’s email asks for support of 2nd District school board candidate Tracie Sanger, who is running against community volunteer Jamie Rowe and Charlotte Dorsey, a former principal in the school system. The woman who wins the seat in the Nov. 4 election will replace Indya Kincannon, who resigned this summer.“Although we cannot vote in that race, we can support her (donate to her campaign) as well as encourage our friends and business associated in the second district to get out and vote for her,” Schmid wrote in the email.“If Tracie loses, our board will be dominated by the same group that put an unethical teacher in as board chairman ... Knox County education will be set back for years to come,” the email continued.Schmid is referring to newly elected board chairman Mike McMillan, a former Gibbs High School teacher who retired rather than have his tenure revoked after allegations he encouraged students not to come to school to take a state-mandated, end of-course U.S. history exam. That incident was in 2008, before he was elected to the school board in 2010.McMillan won the seat with a 5-4 vote. In addition to voting for himself, newly elected board members John Fugate II, Amber Rountree, Terry Hill and Patti Bounds voted for him.“The four of them made him their leader. What is behind that?” Schmid told the News Sentinel. “He wouldn’t face the charges and that’s who the four have chosen ... that’s a big statement there.”After reading a newspaper column on the board’s recent chairman selection, Schmid said he began to pay even closer attention to what was going on with the school board. That Sept. 14 column talked about the backgrounds of board members Doug Harris and McMillan, who were both up for the position of board chairman.Schmid said the column came up at the meeting and several members had not read it. He attached the article to his email that he sent out.“Most people don’t track what the school board is doing. We trust and don’t pay attention,” he said. “It was a wake-up call to be more attentive.”He said he looked at all of the candidates running and did his research on each, and their views on Superintendent Jim McIntyre was one of the areas that swayed who he wanted to put his support behind, even though the race is not his district.“All school board members have an impact systemwide,” Schmid said.Despite some reports Knox County Law Director Richard “Bud” Armstrong was looking into the email that was sent from the school’s PTSO, Armstrong said on Tuesday his office is not reviewing the matter.“It’s not a Knox County issue. It’s not a state issue. It’s a federal issue,” he said. “There’s nothing for me to do.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now if you are not a fan Dr.McIntire heres an article from The Knoxville Focus about the candidates and who they think would be a good choice- Publisher’s Position: Jamie Rowe Best Choice for School Board By Steve Hunley The upcoming election for the 2nd district board of education seat is one of the most important races on the November ballot.The outcome of that particular race will define the future direction of education in Knox County. Jamie Rowe, Tracie Sanger, and Charlotte Dorsey are competing for this office. Jamie Rowe would be an outstanding candidate for any office, especially school board. Ms. Rowe has been involved in various community groups for decades. Jamie Rowe has stood up for homeowners and neighborhoods for years. Rowe has been tireless in her efforts to see that local government works efficiently and effectively for the public. Jamie Rowe will help to restore credibility and accountability in the school system, an entity that currently spends over half a billion tax dollars annually. Rowe has been completely forthright in her campaign, taking stands on issues big and small. Jamie Rowe has publicly stated that if the issue was before the board she would vote to dismiss superintendent Jim McIntyre. She has also stated that she would not have supported the recent extension of his contract. Rowe has also said the board should be more careful with the money it spends before asking county commission for additional funds. The school folks, as we all know, have asked for a tax increase every year for as long as I can remember. I hope you are sitting down when you read this because this year they seem poised to ask for at least $50 million new tax dollars, which would require a whopping 22% increase in the property tax rate. Of all three candidates, Jamie Rowe is clearly the most qualified and fiscally conservative. She would not would be another rubber stamp for McIntyre like the previous board member. Not surprisingly, Sanger has the endorsement of the recently departed board member. So, it is fair to state that Sanger is the “more of the same” candidate in the race. Sanger has also ducked debates with Jamie Rowe and not taken any stand on any issues. Sanger has offered little or nothing in her public pronouncements to indicate what she would do on the board of education, except for being another rubber stamp for whatever superintendent McIntyre wants. Dorsey has made even less of an impression in the race. Dorsey was a candidate for school board in the 7th district (before redistricting) four years ago, losing then to Kim Severance. Both Dorsey and Sanger back McIntyre. Jamie Rowe is fiercely independent, highly intelligent, and amazingly well informed. Rowe has diverse support from highly visible Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike. Jamie Rowe has worked in our community for years and is about as far from any special interests as one can get and still be on the same planet. Jamie Rowe supports teachers being able to teach and opposes the dictatorial measures forced upon them by McIntyre. Many of us have not forgotten that more than seventy percent of our teachers indicated in a recent survey done by McIntyre that they feel that Knox County Schools is NOT a good place to work and learn. Transparency and accountability are absolutely crucial in any government entity, especially one that spends half a billion taxpayer dollars yearly. Rowe believes the public’s business should always be done in public and not “behind closed doors.” We desperately need people who are independent-minded on the board of education, who will answer to the people who elected them, not to an appointed superintendent. We need Board of Education members who cannot be controlled by the Chamber of Commerce and wealthy elitists, most of whose children attend or have attended private schools anyway. We need Jamie Rowe. So there ya go. And as mentioned, one of our speakers- Mayor Tim Burchett - made it clear who hed vote for. And that is Jamie Rowe. We hope this helps you out when you go to the polls. Our schools are too important to leave them as is. Lets change things! Lets STAND!
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 05:29:47 +0000
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