[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6395558,"mediaKeyId","2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa","parentId",2099110,"title","Blount County highlights new middle-school aerospace elective and inclusive athletics season","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",550000,"endMs",871000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa&start=550&end=871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa/thumbnail_550000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395558/Tennessee/Blount-County-highlights-new-middle-school-aerospace-elective-and-inclusive-athletics-season","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395558-eef98da8f1a17e4daf63459243693217/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620587&Signature=ZLDncQFCs99qj-cRu2npex61LPJNgLeePNryh-DKdCusoqLcLvQ7efxEKdlvyQ6tCUQ8MdJsq3s7uggSoQnZMHliuJRK45l-0Jv5PZi1VPgKvC9QYH6g7-8yTIaWJ2BHdr2Cqeq0dcR26M23qyLS~wvWtWzAcMB3j~VnJegRZi9iUX3fZ9bGwASJEahRNLSXr2V1ZfKUNJjHrwVNEYoJwv8Tith3UsPhwkiGRSun1Ta0I06vwY3q43LfwzpVx6I80GJZ2D4SPuYR01yCyyid2i~ta06kN4I7uPSnMmrjf4jVVDVY1PWB2agh9gyp5Out8kx4GbgzGwAAh6U9oEYOiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blount County Schools","date","2025-01-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Blount County Board of Education on Jan. 9 heard two mission-moment presentations showcasing new and expanded student programs: an 8th-grade introduction to aerospace and STEM at Heritage Middle School connected to the Air Force Junior ROTC program, and a district-wide inclusive basketball season that involved special-education athletes and peer mentors from 14 schools.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Coggin and Master Sergeant Renee Witterspahn, Air Force JROTC instructors at Heritage High School, described the new 8th-grade elective at Heritage Middle School. The elective is intended as an orientation to leadership, aerospace and STEM, and the first cohort participated in activities that included flying through EAA Young Eagles, a field trip to East Tennessee State University, and cross-campus integration with high-school JROTC.

Bridal Robertson and April Herron presented the inclusive basketball initiative, describing a seven-game season held in November involving 14 schools. Presenters said about 155 special-education student-athletes participated, alongside approximately 856 general-education students who served as peer partners, cheer squads, referees and student ambassadors. The presenters said events emphasized schoolwide inclusion and school-community ties and that additional events were scheduled before the Special Olympics in January.

Why it matters: Both items highlight local efforts to expand experiential STEM opportunities and inclusive extracurricular programming in Blount County Schools. Board members and public commenters referenced these programs during later public comment as evidence of public-school capacity to provide inclusive services.

Ending
Board members thanked presenters and students; no board action was required on these presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Blount County Board of Education heard presentations on Jan. 9 about a new 8th-grade aerospace/STEM elective at Heritage Middle School tied to Air Force JROTC and an inclusive basketball season that engaged students across 14 schools.","taxTitle","Blount County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",13504,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395563,"Board earmarks roughly $2.1 million surplus for teacher aides, intervention and graduation coaches; $5,000 allocated to each elementary school",526,3890000,4416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa&start=3890&end=4416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa/thumbnail_3890000.jpg","/articles/6395563/Tennessee/Board-earmarks-roughly-21-million-surplus-for-teacher-aides-intervention-and-graduation-coaches-5000-allocated-to-each-elementary-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395563-15573154b84eedade594688420919f13/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620587&Signature=Y~IiSrALTOSWgCTSs91ck6pF5tnlUoCLVOlX~EnQRE15~8P3heqXGeG9gwtTTJ-IQuU7OrudngMf6AjvbwfiHG2p2BLjrQ89NJ3j2FCRH9D0-xeXJ49mI0YzZOpJFIy-8B2AzFACq9kQlp3LF2-98W7kSfTbOoIkumtrqx~zOgnpNr3O1CRcuy2NK7yFZuPINFE2e6GDUao1pZhbRh9VJx9vLQQZiWTmFsxhi-6jntOdHzAOyS8zgKJTs05unLczp0rE-Cet89jn9ks~y3FO4wkzbyXLdNMwtG9CNR~anrGrRgEU09ToVYoVBawV1Y8mWBjKf3C6E3f8Ays7T4olWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blount County Board of Education voted Jan. 9 to reserve surplus money—about $2.1 million—to hire teacher aides, general-education and special-education instructional assistants, intervention coaches and graduation coaches, and to set aside $75,000 to provide $5,000 in supplemental funding to each of the district's 15 elementary schools.

Board members said the transfers use existing surplus within the district budget rather than requesting additional funds from the county commission. The board described the transfers as earmarks: funds would be moved into \"other charges\" reserve lines and spent only if the director fills the identified positions.

Why it matters: Board leaders said additional instructional staff and coaches are intended to reduce class sizes and provide targeted support that can accelerate student learning. The funding decision follows a teacher survey and the district's recent TISSA report and pending curriculum and HR audits.

Board discussion and rationale
Board members referenced a survey of 369 teachers in which 83% reported not having enough staff to meet student needs. A board member stated the district's fund balance was $6.8 million as of June 30 and that the proposed transfers would still leave a substantial reserve. The board emphasized the money will be held in reserve and only spent as positions are filled; transfers that cross specific budget line items would require county commission approval.

Questions from board members
Board member Erica Moore asked for clarity on the lines and cautioned that some intervention coaches are current classroom teachers and pulling them out midyear could harm instruction. She also asked that the board hold a work session so all members could discuss priorities for where positions should be placed once funded. Another board member said the curriculum audit (scheduled to report in April) and an HR audit will inform longer-term hires, but said the teacher survey and current student performance data justified early action.

Elementary-school supplementary funding
In a separate motion, the board approved taking $75,000 from the earmarked surplus to provide $5,000 to each of the district's 15 elementary schools. The district will require principals to submit a plan for how they will use the funds; proposed uses include consumable instructional materials, enrichment activities, student fees, science equipment, STEM materials and field-trip support.

Votes and implementation
Both motions passed by roll call vote. The board instructed the director and central office to manage requisitions and to ensure purchases are consistent with instructional priorities. Members said they expect some positions will be hired immediately while other uses will await the curriculum and HR audits.

Ending
Board members framed the decision as an attempt to act on teacher-identified needs and to put resources in place quickly while preserving fiscal prudence by keeping the money in reserve until positions are filled.","The Blount County Board of Education approved transfers to reserve about $2.1 million in surplus funds for hiring teacher aides, intervention coaches and graduation coaches and approved a separate $75,000 allocation to give each of the district's 15 elementary schools $5,000 in supplemental budgets.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395566,"Blount County Board adopts amended resolution opposing Education Freedom Scholarship Act",320,2770000,3090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa&start=2770&end=3090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa/thumbnail_2770000.jpg","/articles/6395566/Tennessee/Blount-County-Board-adopts-amended-resolution-opposing-Education-Freedom-Scholarship-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395566-e079a45e2611d4c287ae8114333a4af9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620587&Signature=WMK56RYjut1unNCD0ycgQniPcY6dIzJRV9vfd3VF3vamUf-7xr~IpqqkPGIgtHO75nAvCoTHpqlj6UdjMz3ps0ip6vEV66l1t8XHaMD2vMXf71SI2jWLm3fJmpPGZYfwFpVvTYFjwxF1f4Kf-FkqnYDHyukssVMvD3~sDLLvCw5QPnhrw0DX~5846z6xfXV18TC3R5X8Hrk95roPmN3I~cK8LE5lgMMjesgz44qCjshns6p4ZtqX8-1DXhIhNpS8bnClqkHHUjjB9dnaDKOx6J5CpHAg22Fjv3cm1XWrwKs73f40S7oymRwUreuPaSOvo-J466hKE6SZMq-NkdLzoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blount County Board of Education on Jan. 9 unanimously approved an amended resolution opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act and similar proposals that would direct public K-12 dollars to private schools.

Board members debated wording and scope before approving edits that clarified the resolution's target and removed language several members found vague or potentially objectionable. The final motion, as adopted, urges the Tennessee General Assembly to reject the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 or similar initiatives that \"would divert public dollars away from K-12 public schools for private use.\"

Why it matters: The resolution signals the board's public position to state legislators on proposed state-level voucher legislation that, according to public commenters and board members, could shift local funding away from public schools.

Public comments and rationale
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, speakers urged the board to oppose vouchers. Daniel Taddy (District 3) and Jenny Ayers (Maryville resident) argued the measure would divert public funds, reduce fiscal and academic accountability, and disproportionately benefit wealthier families who already use private schools. Daniel Taddy repeatedly urged the board to \"follow the money.\" Dustin Park (District 5), who said he has a son with Down syndrome, said voucher programs can require parents to waive federal due-process rights and argued they would harm students with disabilities.

Board discussion and amendments
Board member Erica Moore and other members proposed and supported edits to the draft resolution to make its language more specific and to remove sections the board considered extraneous or ambiguous (members proposed removing numbered provisions cited as 9, 10 and 11 in an earlier draft). The board also replaced a general title with one explicitly opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The board agreed to use language from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) sample resolution where appropriate.

Vote and outcome
Board members voted by roll call to adopt the amended resolution. Multiple members recorded affirmative votes during the roll call; the motion carried. After the vote, Rebecca, representing the Blount County Education Association, thanked the board for passing the resolution and for refining its language.

Ending
Board members said the adopted resolution will be shared with state legislators and serves as an official statement of the board's opposition to voucher proposals that would divert public tax dollars from public schools.","After public comment and edits from board members, the Blount County Board of Education voted to adopt an amended resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to reject the Education Freedom Scholarship Act or similar voucher initiatives.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395571,"Blount County schools accept director's resignation, approve release agreement and name interim director",110,2459000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa&start=2459&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099110-aae52ead62eb1bdcef25751f66e314aa/thumbnail_2459000.jpg","/articles/6395571/Tennessee/Blount-County-schools-accept-directors-resignation-approve-release-agreement-and-name-interim-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395571-6789e40826fd3cf0a14b46831075152f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620587&Signature=OK~qynvbELmLTjWpvTtCgfSUWArwQLqhcVrvgTuLjQ~3ncofXu4GsNj1d5~d6LKf3utzgLrwcziKpmRp2XefpVWguNOPVvpEv6eshTfldO72I1OzCuQcWMkmqr-idXcFYPT39JS5fUkDCVBhDDGx0e6ndzAcejJiZJu2kUXiLqT3s1gAu2UQTL3fg6RrkYL8VI3r9brBql87pAJtUlqHhgywihJOjxqiuFhgRd1zmIXyeS85~q~wxH5WDuwLX-FGhegHEmoKoqho4T1L6GeTcM2mYMd5h~awOhA6HEfB5b76vtdfiNkqIu53mkZlZCd8DAFp8aRzftbVAoCFYpX8Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blount County Board of Education on Jan. 9 approved an agreement releasing Director of Schools David Merle from his duties and named Jake Jones as interim director.

The board voted to place Merle on administrative leave with pay at the teacher rate, to assign him a teaching position at a future date \"either in this school year or the next, depending on when an appropriate need and position arises,\" and to \"recognize and not attempt to change his tenure status based on anything that has taken place up to the date of his resignation,\" according to a board summary read during the meeting.

The vote on the agreement passed with five yes votes and one abstention. Board member Erica Moore said she abstained. Following that vote, the board approved a separate motion to name Jake Jones interim director and to exempt him from a board policy provision that would otherwise bar an interim from being a candidate for the permanent director position; the roll call recorded seven yes votes for Jones.

Why it matters: The agreement and interim appointment change the district's leadership while the board searches for a new director. Several members of the public asked for more transparency about the process and the timing of the agreement.

Details of the agreement and public reaction
Members of the public raised concerns during the meeting about the timing and transparency of the release agreement. Chris Payne, who identified himself as a resident of District 4, said the language in the contract raised questions about whether the board was \"relieving the employee for any events that have happened before the effective resignation date\" and urged the board to \"table this agenda item for discussion with counsel.\" Payne cited Tennessee Code Annotated 49-2-301(c) in his remarks, which he said makes it a misdemeanor for a director to take outside contracts for additional compensation.

Robbie Kirkland, also a resident of District 4, asked for a public timeline of the events that led to the resignation and for the board to release evaluations related to the personnel decision. Board members acknowledged that the agreement is posted online per open-records requirements and that counsel helped draft the document.

Board explanation and vote
A board member summarized the agreement on the record, stating Mr. Merle \"will be placed on administrative leave with pay at the teacher level and his commensurate rate,\" and that the board would assign him a teaching position as openings arise. The board member added that the agreement was drafted with counsel and made public in accordance with board practice. The motion to approve the agreement received a roll-call vote: Greg Dillon (yes), John Lowe (yes), Chris Cass (yes), Bill Porter (yes), Joe Lindsey (yes), Erica Moore (abstain). The tally recorded five yes votes and one abstention; the motion passed.

The board then moved to name Jake Jones interim director and to allow him to be considered as a candidate for the permanent director position despite the board policy that typically prevents interim candidates from applying. Board members approved the interim appointment by roll call; the minutes recorded affirmative votes from Bill Porter, Brian King, Joe Lindsey, Ray Galmons, Erica Moore, Chris Pass and John Lowe.

What the board said about next steps
Following the vote, members asked Jones to take a seat at the table as interim director. Board members said the appointment is temporary while they begin a search for a permanent director. No timeline for the superintendent search was specified during the meeting.

Ending
The board did not release additional private details about the circumstances leading to the resignation during the public meeting. Several speakers requested more transparency, and at least one speaker asked the board to publish evaluation materials and a timeline for the process. The board and district staff said the agreement is available online and that the interim appointment will allow the district to continue daily operations while the search proceeds.","The Blount County Board of Education approved a release agreement with outgoing Director of Schools David Merle, voted to place him on paid administrative leave with a future teaching placement, and unanimously appointed Jake Jones as interim director with an exemption to apply for the permanent post.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blount County highlights new middle-school aerospace elective and inclusive athletics season

Board earmarks roughly $2.1 million surplus for teacher aides, intervention and graduation coaches; $5,000 allocated to each elementary school

Blount County Board adopts amended resolution opposing Education Freedom Scholarship Act

Blount County schools accept director's resignation, approve release agreement and name interim director