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Knox County honors bus driver Anthony Wynn; Dewitt and Lincoln schools highlight gains and programs
Summary
The board recognized Anthony Wynn for outstanding transportation service; Dewitt Elementary reported strong math proficiency and reading improvement plans; Linkamp (transcript spelling) / Lincoln Middle High reported enrollment growth, PBIS changes and CTE successes.
At the Knox County school board meeting, the district honored bus driver Anthony Wynn as its 'best driver' shining-star recipient while principals from Dewitt Elementary and Lincoln (transcript also spells 'Linkamp') Middle High summarized academic and extracurricular highlights.
Transportation director Jeff Ketchum (introduced in the meeting as Transportation director) said Wynn had become a familiar, welcome presence for young students: "So every day, she can't wait to see that bus pull up and she'll wave at Anthony and Anthony gives her a big a big wave," describing a daycare child's response as part of the rationale for the recognition. The board presented Wynn with a superintendent’s Top 10 award for going "above and beyond to transport our students safely," staff said.
Dewitt Elementary's presenter reported current enrollment of 137 students, with 13 teachers and a mix of tenured and non-tenured staff. The presenter highlighted math proficiency — "81% proficient/distinguished" — and said reading scores are a gap the school is targeting through new high-quality reading instruction and writing plans that emphasize vocabulary and background knowledge. The presenter noted testing disruptions related to a school safety incident that briefly depressed attendance but said spring testing timing helped avoid larger impacts.
The Lincoln Middle High presentation (the speaker said "Linkamp Middle High School" during the report; district agenda items list "Lincoln Middle High School") reported enrollment of 502, up from 431 the prior year, cited school-climate survey scores (67.1% middle school; 51.8% high school) and described PBIS adjustments to a slogan of "Positive attitudes will succeed," expanded recognition programs, and intentional grouping during a 30-minute intervention period called "wildcat time." The presenter also noted strong CTE and DECA participation and several students advancing to state and national competitions.
Board members asked few follow-up questions during the reports and encouraged continued community engagement. There were no citizens’ remarks recorded later in the meeting.
Next steps: the district said it will follow up with ways for students to submit writing to the local paper and will continue implementing the reading and behavioral interventions discussed.
