Rigor hurts

Gresham Middle School principal Donna Parker took on an army of agitated parents last week as “rigor” arrived in Knox County Schools.

The parents were reacting to the reclassification of their kids based on an end-of-school test. Some students previously in “advanced” courses were reassigned to “proficient” or even “basic” classes. Parker said test results came to her less than a week before the start of school and she opted to make the changes now rather than later.

She promised to meet with each parent to review their child’s results. She promised to open new sections if necessary. She promised to get differentiated instruction within classrooms to motivate and push students. But she didn’t back down.

Parker used the high jump analogy. If the bar is raised, it doesn’t mean that the student has lost learning; it simply means she must work harder to reach the higher level. “It doesn’t feel good right now, but your children will be so much better for this,” Parker said.

Gary Petko, a math specialist for grades 6-12, praised the parents for attending. He said as a basketball coach his saddest task was to walk out with a player on senior night because no parent had come.

Parents were respectful but concerned. Listen in:

n You have four levels of rank (advanced, proficient, basic and below basic), but do you have four levels of curriculum?

n This is a slap in the face. You’re cheating (the students) who won’t get high school credit (for advanced courses).

n I feel like he will be “dumbed down.” How can he ever get back to honors again?

n My daughter’s friends are still in advanced classes. She has no one to eat lunch with.

n  How will they be challenged if they’re taking the same course (as last year) with the same book?

n My son was told this will be an easy year!

n How does this affect their ability to get into college prep and college?

n I, for one, am glad that Tennessee is finally doing something (for academics). I’ll teach my child self-esteem at home.

Parker assured the parents that no child would be “under-served.” This is a great year, she said, to know where your children are in terms of performance. She anticipated less focus on grades and more on knowledge retained. “(The new) tests were designed to assess skill sets.”

Gresham parents sure care. The school’s cafeteria was filled with parents of 6th graders; two classrooms in the 8th grade wing were packed with others.

Carter Conundrum: County Commission refused last week to OK $5 million requested by the school board for capital improvements, unhappy that the board will not rebuild rather than renovate at Carter Elementary School.

With the room packed with green-clad “Hornets,” Commissioner Mike Hammond said, “Let’s take Carter from worst to first.” And Commissioner Brad Anders asked Superintendent Jim McIntyre to bid both Carter and the new Southwest elementary school together – trying for two new schools within the $23 million capital improvement package.

Tough issues at BZA

The Knox County Board of Zoning and Appeals makes tough decisions almost every month. Chew on this one:

Earl M. O’Neal of Bagwell Road in the 8th District came, map in hand, to ask for a waivers on a side setback (from 8 feet to 0 feet) and to exempt an encroaching outbuilding built too close to the road.

O’Neal lives virtually in the middle of nowhere, so you might think his appeal was a slam-dunk. But the more he talked, the more tangled and hopeless his case became. Finally, BZA commissioners deferred it for 60 days.

If O’Neal returns then, he will face a new nine-member board. The county commissioners who are sworn in Sept. 1 will make the appointments in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Currently on the BZA are (by district 1-9): Cynthia Stancil, Markus Chady, Jean Teague, chair William Daniels, vice chair John Schoonmaker, Larry York, Scott Moore, Kevin Murphy and Carson Dailey.

Moore won’t be reappointed. There’s too much conflict between him and Commissioner Larry Smith. Recent redistricting moved Teague into District 4, so she will leave.

But back to Earl O’Neal.

His problems started when his family agreed to care for an elderly friend. As she aged she became frail and they could not leave her alone. So O’Neal hired a firm to move her mobile home next to his house on his 2.38 acre tract. He estimates that he has invested $10,000 in caring for her and the relocation.

He then sought to redraw his lot lines. That’s when he learned that his various outbuildings are encroaching and he might have to tear something down. But as Chady observed: “This garage has encroached for 50+ years.”

Schoonmaker was beside himself: “I can’t believe no one told you to go to Codes (department) before you moved a second home onto a single family lot.”

Murphy called the issue “extremely complex” and said the resubdivision creates “a number of awkward lots” – lots that will remain after the departure of the elderly guest.

O’Neal could solve his dilemma if he acquired a bit of land from an adjacent cemetery, but the deed book calls it “owner unknown.” O’Neal said he’s mowed the graveyard for 26 years. “I don’t know where to turn.”

Daniels suggested he contact an attorney for advice. And Murphy moved to defer.

O’Neal seems to prove the dictum: “No good deed goes unpunished.” And there’s no telling whom he will face if and when he returns.

Anybody want to volunteer to serve on the BZA?

Halls gets more ‘it’

The state Department of Transportation has awarded a $501,282 grant to build a greenway (walking trail) through Clayton Park in Halls and over to the Halls schools.

This was the only such grant allocated to Knox County and is part of an $18.5 million enhancement grant package announced last week by Gov. Phil Bredesen and TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

Called the Halls Park to School Link, Phase II, the grant was written by greenways coordinator Terry Shupp who works for Knox County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Bataille. The long-term plan calls for a greenway connection under Maynardville Pike along Beaver Creek to link up the Clayton Park and Halls Community Park.

“Everyone knows Halls Has It! Now Halls has an little extra of IT!,” said Sen. Jamie Woodson, who represents Halls and was instrumental in securing the funds. Thirty-four communities and the state Department of Tourism received grants.

Bataille said Knox County also has applied for a $200,000 grant to use toward construction of a driveway into Clayton Park. He hopes to start both projects in the spring.

Bredesen said the enhancement grant program enriches local communities by building sidewalks and bike trails that support healthier lifestyles. Others will use the program to save historic structures. The program is federally funded and administered by the state. Grant applications come from local governments, and projects must be accessible to the public. Info: www.tdot.state.tn.us/news/2010/grants.htm.