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.