Teachers and students press board on transparency, theater renovations and staffing morale during public comment

Multiple public commenters at the Blount County Board of Education meeting urged greater transparency in the superintendent search, raised concerns about teacher morale and asked the district to prioritize renovations to the Heritage High School theater.

Teacher views on search transparency and district leadership: Amanda Lawhorn, a teacher at Heritage High School, asked the board to publicly release items TSBA shared about the superintendent search rather than requiring open-records requests. Lawhorn said many teachers are "worried and fearful" and listed qualities educators want in the next director, including significant classroom and administrative experience, humility, integrity and a routine of visiting school buildings to engage with staff.

Allegations of politicized communications and board relationships: Public commenters expressed concern about perceived connections between the board chair and the mayor and raised issues about the use of district email for political messaging. One speaker pointed attendees to a January 5 church service video, saying the mayor had been publicly recognized by the chair and questioning the timing relative to a director resignation. Another commenter noted the board had ordered a curriculum audit and urged community members to join local education discussion groups.

Calls for theater renovation and questions about funding: Wren Weis, a student and president of the Heritage High School Singers, described the school theater as 48 years old with nonworking lights and sound, dry-rotted curtains removed for safety and damaged seating. Renee Fuson, a parent, said a renovated theater would benefit students and the broader community and asked about ongoing litigation that she said currently prevents the district from using fund 177 for theater renovations. Fuson asked the board for an update on the status of that litigation and when the district might be able to allocate those funds.

Why it matters: Teachers urged the board to act on transparency and morale ahead of the superintendent search; students and parents sought clarity on capital funding that would affect extracurricular programs, performances and community events.

Board response and limits: The board acknowledged comments but did not provide a timeline for releasing TSBA materials; the parent asking about litigation was told litigation is ongoing and the board did not give a date for resolution during the meeting. Several public commenters urged board members to visit schools and engage directly with teachers and students.

Next steps: The board indicated it would receive audit materials and curriculum-audit teams in upcoming months; speakers urged the district to publish information about the search and to clarify litigation status for fund 177 so renovation planning could proceed.