
1. This Board has labored over this budget and proposed cuts by meeting, asking questions and requesting information. This Superintendent and staff have responded in an unprecedented and timely way with urgency...let me repeat that. This Superintendent and staff have responded in an unprecedented and timely way with urgency.
BECAUSE WE CARE
2. This Board has read hundreds and hundreds of emails...and answered phone calls. I started personally responding to each one as I always do, but have not been able to keep up given the sheer volume received. I know board members have personally met with people at their request.
BECAUSE WE CARE
3. This Board stayed and listened until 1:00 am so that everyone’s voice could be heard.
BECAUSE WE CARE
4. This Board continued to work up until the moment we walked into the City County Building by appealing to the Mayor, County Commission, and even our state representatives for a workable solution.
BECAUSE WE CARE
We are often criticized for being a board primarily made up of educators...but I want the public to know that this is exactly why we have done all that I mentioned above. We ran for this position at great sacrifice to ourselves and to our families...to live and serve all the children and students of Knox County regardless of what has been said or shared on social media, print media, and the news this week. Even though we all have different life experiences--and come from varied backgrounds--I know these women and men on a personal level. As chair, I know their hearts and their desire to make good decisions. We chose education as our life work because we love children...ALL GOD’s CHILDREN.
Romans 14:19, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification...do not destroy the work of God” in others lives.