[{"_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",6076139,"mediaKeyId","2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda","parentId",2973797,"title","Board approves naming nomination for Gibbs High School baseball field amid questions about naming policy","audioSeconds",52,"startMs",2818000,"endMs",2870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda&start=2818&end=2870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda/thumbnail_2818000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076139/Tennessee/Board-approves-naming-nomination-for-Gibbs-High-School-baseball-field-amid-questions-about-naming-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076139-9901f193d09f2f0fa580e4a610c702a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552113&Signature=TAaNIYdPsWTBnX1ib~eIWzcA3OkiJPp1rnEEPP0XPLz3~urUGbIMG2n~R8a-jLmzk9YTA9OFBh~So-7lnEXCJfW3o6gdXqRQu5TACybkb6wQvi-iRKuxfrzK5bEI9NOaHf5NlXRAEYlQ8dHC4PD3-n-JDhh~qrd8OIJqajjsN~5rtQAvzSveUGJI94n4rzPgcpKll6UgucH0VO-FO~5FTNjTWkhqTJUm7qXvE27KZYzygozR3cL3UK~nCfZQRy8dJrOdTTALAHlJs1ofXrnGfgjWPpzlAVE-52D~iPjZbbCTRK9Zr9qgro3vZks4VaCFfrYVFKyWAsq6Z5zPosGlZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Knox County Schools","date","2025-04-11T09:54:49Z","article","The Knox County Board of Education approved a nomination to name the Gibbs High School baseball field after Morgan Wallen during Thursday's meeting, after brief discussion and questions about district naming policy.

The nomination (item 9c) was moved by Mr. Wright and seconded by Ms. Christie and approved by voice vote. \"This is something where ... I had several emails, that were listing concerning things about this and being concerned about any sort of PR issues and Knox County Schools being associated with that stuff,\" said Ms. Pike, who told the board she had received constituent concerns. \"There was a question about naming things after people who are alive as opposed to posthumously,\" added Ms. Templeton, asking whether the district has considered that approach.

Dr. Reiswick, the district superintendent, said the district has a policy that is \"more centered around school employees\" and that employees are not to be named while employed; he said the policy includes guidance on intervals after employment. \"The policy says that they're not to be named while they're employed. And I believe it's actually 5 years after they're after they're done,\" Dr. Reiswick said. The board also noted precedent: the current name of the field is Steve Unley Field, named after a benefactor and former board member.

After discussion the board voted; the motion carried by voice vote with no roll-call tally included in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/10/25 KCS BOE Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a nomination to name the Gibbs High School baseball field after Morgan Wallen; some board members raised concerns about PR and the district's naming policy for living honorees.","taxTitle","Knox County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",13502,"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},6076143,"Board adopts teacher bonus resolution, affirms support for students amid public pleas to reject proposed state immigration bills",230,3120000,3350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda&start=3120&end=3350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6076143/Tennessee/Board-adopts-teacher-bonus-resolution-affirms-support-for-students-amid-public-pleas-to-reject-proposed-state-immigration-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076143-c56b5592683e7b4a879738d16d67bd2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552113&Signature=gYyzFNu4oVEfJitZRMN-Htpcnfcl-bGZ6jMTED2irvNlBB6DMGfYdn-BhySkGhyRVsFEfc2XFIlDLe~rrsaJ~qWWOPQ8gzCUgHDu~AsOr3GzOLjjgbPyT2YzMuV1dJEYVypWzPg-yIwhcnC1dx~mI5ZhVIXyjh4TfQlgN2EW7hYxHhHOvNk95EmcjvqFUnxUfAjUxTWdHo5BJvfinyGB-q2StIlI405QpnLyWJx1PJS7W6s2cCgt2sy4NR184JlLEaf1twK-~VMXabEHWTWijNZ4ipnD896vrKIm7Ize725ZI4eWm0hEhugjP42~ix~azKzWryOOmZuOlfGoOzUTLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knox County Board of Education on Thursday approved a resolution expressing the district's intention to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 to provide $2,000 bonuses to educators, and separately adopted a resolution \"supporting students\" after extended public comment focused on proposed Tennessee legislation that would allow school districts to deny enrollment to students who cannot prove lawful presence.

The resolution to participate in the Education Freedom Act (item 9d) was moved by Mr. Triplett and seconded by Ms. Christie; board members approved the measure by voice vote. \"I know I'm excited to be able to vote for this to give our educators a $2,000 bonus this year,\" said Ms. Morgan during discussion. She encouraged state lawmakers to consider making similar bonuses recurring.

The board also approved item 9e, a \"resolution supporting students,\" after a sequence of public forum speakers urged the board to publicly oppose House Bill 0793 and Senate Bill 0836, bills then moving through the Tennessee General Assembly that would permit districts to require proof of immigration status and potentially deny enrollment or charge tuition. Several speakers urged the board to reject any local implementation of the bills if they become law.

Alan Mirontes Flores of Knox County, who identified himself as a former undocumented KCS student, told the board: \"I respectfully ask this board to take a stand and reject its implementation at this local level. Knox County Schools should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all students.\" Flores cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe while urging the board to protect access to K-12 education for every child.

Megan Barrelet Fogarty, director of youth and family engagement at Centro Hispano, called the proposed law \"immoral and ... unconstitutional\" and warned that implementation would impose a \"bureaucratic nightmare\" on districts. \"How do we tell our children that they can't go to school anymore?\" she asked, quoting a mother she said she works with. Gabriela Sanchez Benitez, a Knox County graduate, said the bill \"suggests that students could simply pay tuition or find education elsewhere,\" and argued that such exclusionary policies would teach all students that worth is conditional.

The public forum also included comments from Christiane Anton of Public School Strong's local chapter, who said the resolution reaffirmed the board's commitment to \"serve all students\" and urged a vote in favor. After public comment the board voted to adopt the \"supporting students\" resolution by voice vote.

Board members did not record individual roll-call tallies in the transcript for these items. The transcript records motions, seconds and multiple \"aye\" responses; each contested resolution was carried by voice vote.","Knox County Board approved a resolution to participate in state teacher bonuses and adopted a resolution supporting students after numerous public comments urging the board to renounce proposed bills that would allow districts to deny enrollment to undocumented children.",{"_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},6076148,"Board approves multimillion-dollar construction, roofing, playground and grant packages",170,2600000,2770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda&start=2600&end=2770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","/articles/6076148/Tennessee/Board-approves-multimillion-dollar-construction-roofing-playground-and-grant-packages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076148-c46617abde7f3e2504fda8fd393e7080/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552113&Signature=LzxBskwWOTPHaBKNVYIiC325U9Pb00pwuOQIhwqoJJzGPQ-qtkxOA8l3s7Afk5EKf4WcNdghCq8j4rA3Dc0LQ6NVRghRAfbqHVhQ6ZoIcYx3Dtned~I2DYWivjt40w2PBxMHWsvt61IAQso3~6WtwdLydug1JbV9gmS4KrX-BbVYQJ5HjUAdPlci3OOCgS5eorKUYjSko91B5gJXg0D~~uv7~7Zbj7SoMzaZOSznPDjd~fE3ssI6CdIXGFD0puRkQGtbvF9Bwfo8cSPYbhqnrCFRM9Gmm9EwPg2rO-c-LoKfJpHgURJRyMEG7tPLdr1ksm-AIGKZZ~Ev~WCPJrOuKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knox County Board of Education on Thursday approved a series of contracts, grants and fund designations totaling dozens of millions of dollars for new construction, maintenance and school programs.

Key approvals included an owner-contractor agreement with Merit Construction Inc. for construction of a new Farragut-area elementary school at $44,547,000; contracts for cable networking services up to $650,000 annually with BOETell ETN Company LLC and Digital Group LLC; annual roofing-service contracts up to $3,000,000 with Escola LLC, Henley Roofing Company and Skilled Services Quality Construction LLC; and acceptance of a $30,000 Lawson Family Foundation grant for the Project SEARCH transition-to-work program.

\"A motion by Ms. Morgan, a second by Ms. Bight\" carried the Farragut construction contract, according to meeting minutes. The board approved networking, roofing and other contracts by similar motions and voice votes.

The board also approved replacing playgrounds at Bonnie Kate, Christenberry and Copper Ridge elementary schools at a total cost of $859,942.47, to be paid with up to $809,946.87 in donated funds from the Knox Education Foundation and $49,995.60 from KCS general purpose funds. A fund-balance designation of $625,000 was approved to replace a portable classroom at Rocky Hill Elementary School.

Smaller arts and education grants were approved as well, including a $600 Tennessee State Parks Conservancy grant for Carter Elementary and a $260 Knoxville Museum of Art grant for Gibbs Middle School. The board approved an Oak Ridge Associated Universities grant of $25,000 for Halls High School's Extreme Classroom Makeover.

Several contracts allow for multi-year extensions; many motions passed by voice vote with no roll-call tally provided in the meeting transcript. \"Do we have any discussion? Seeing there is none, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries,\" a recorder noted repeatedly during the approvals.","The Knox County Board of Education approved several contracts and grant awards including a $44.5 million owner-contractor agreement for a new Farragut-area elementary school and playground replacements funded largely by donations.",{"_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},6076153,"School board defers vote on USI retirement-plan contract after firm offers compromise",200,1975000,2175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda&start=1975&end=2175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973797-ac2f62ad65db831c74350b8821f40bda/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6076153/Tennessee/School-board-defers-vote-on-USI-retirement-plan-contract-after-firm-offers-compromise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076153-291ba69490bb027fc797c4838d2c8e9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552113&Signature=W7rSPPzUIkTQdCBVF6Tlw8l7KjJzoFTAqIVnBZzd4bOMq4ycf43NTMh452780rGqkiPaS-BLZruRSweTB9lhmpJxKEJcaFxkXKpSLzA2fjxCz7DK-JUCyPpvhT5pLSXn~EgStKjyDVSrisJbVXEdmeytP9YqkhCkERQ-ugOojJhaVvbVPkmozy9f~XKG-N82SZNaLkAgZGdVLE-b6qowh5iPLkIKZvwjQxZuNjVFKmnZ6vYSM0qw~hEdLZbU-n9QriWPnCCyN8mTI~bOZIC8wWy~A3PESMaFfYeyVLsYHd89aYWEcxOGJhFmrXY1c7dHY1WDzjd6Z0b3tDCxuZwRyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knox County Board of Education on Thursday deferred a planned vote to name USI Consulting Group as administrator for the district's 403(b) platform, after the successful bidder proposed a compromise to protect current employees' vendor arrangements.

Board Chair Reverend Butler and staff told members USI contacted district officials after earlier discussion and offered to let \"current clients stay where they currently are, through the end of their employment,\" a change staff said could be incorporated into contract terms. \"USI Consulting did reach out to our team after Monday, and has proposed a somewhat of a compromise,\" said Miss Himmelgarn, a district staff member, during the discussion. \"USI has proposed taking new business and letting current clients stay where they currently are, through the end of their employment.\"

The board approved a motion to defer agenda item 8e to the May meeting to give staff time to finalize contract language that would reflect USI's proposal. The motion to defer was made by Mr. Triplett and seconded by Ms. Christie; the board carried the deferral by voice vote. \"What'll happen in the meantime ... is that USI would have the ability to come back with a proposal that looks different from the proposal on the agenda right now,\" said Mr. Dupler, a district staff member who clarified the board's options. \"There would still be a vote as to whether or not this board wants USI as the administrator and vendor, but that will look different based upon what USI has said that they're willing to ... propose.\"

Supporters of keeping choice in the retirement platform spoke during public comment; Brandy Jarrell urged the board to preserve choice and said a shared platform \"would provide Knox County teachers the best options to meet their retirement needs.\" Jarrell said she was \"excited about the opportunity to work together on a plan that will establish a contract and provide the protection and benefits that this board is seeking while keeping diversity and choice of investments in Knox County for Knox County teachers.\"

The item will return at the board's next scheduled meeting, when members will again vote on whether to name USI as plan administrator and on the specific contract terms that staff negotiates in the interim.

The board did not take a recorded roll-call tally on the deferral; the action was approved by voice vote and recorded in the minutes as \"motion carries.\"","The Knox County Board of Education voted to defer action on a contract to name USI Consulting the district's 403(b) plan administrator after USI proposed a compromise to preserve current clients' arrangements; the board set the item for reconsideration next month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves naming nomination for Gibbs High School baseball field amid questions about naming policy

Board adopts teacher bonus resolution, affirms support for students amid public pleas to reject proposed state immigration bills

Board approves multimillion-dollar construction, roofing, playground and grant packages

School board defers vote on USI retirement-plan contract after firm offers compromise