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IN THIS ISSUE
Miracle makers
Betty Bean kicks off a new Shopper-News series highlighting remarkable people and programs in Knox County Schools by profiling Holston Middle School principal Tom Brown. See Bean’s story on page A-9
‘All shook up’ It’s Elvis Week, which should tell you what Jake Mabe is writing about in his column. Jake went on a treasure hunt and is “all shook up” about his discovery – 8mm film footage from three of Elvis’ Knoxville concerts in 1972, 1974 and 1977 that have been stored in a bank vault for more than 30 years.
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See Jake’s story on page A-3
Lane Kiffin revisited (again) “About the time Lane Kiffin landed in Los Angeles and used mattresses were going out in Knoxville,” Marvin West writes, “I told myself not to waste any more words on the boy coach who wanted to be Steve Spurrier.” But, Marvin says, a question was obviously poetic: Wonder where the Vols would be/if Kiffin had stayed at Tennessee?
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VOL. 51 NO. 33
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See Marvin’s story on page A-5
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Land to speak at Wallace Memorial Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission since 1988, will speak at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church on Merchants Drive 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
A century of legends By Cindy Taylor Noweta Garden Club toured the Old Gray Cemetery in Knoxville last week as the bells of St. John’s Lutheran Church chimed in the distance. The spit of an early morning drizzle had left moisture from stem to seed, adding weight to cloth and making maneuvering among the century-old headstones difficult. Charlotte Miller, a member of the Federated Garden Clubs and DAR, led the tour. She spoke of duels lost and hearts won, bringing to life stories of those long-dead. Names engraved on tombstones, such as Mabry, Hazen and Rush Strong, brought memories of stories heard long ago, but Miller imparted new information for most. Club president Marjorie Gardner roamed the grounds recording the event with her camera and founding member JoAnne Hoffmeister attended along with about 15 others. “When Earl and I moved here from Georgia, there wasn’t a garden club in Powell,” said Hoffmeister. “We started with only seven or eight members.” Folks who happened by tagged along with the club as Miller told tales. “When they first established this cemetery in 1850 it was out in the country and so they called it a country cemetery,” said Miller. “It was popular at that time to have gardens in a cemetery.
Business A2 Jake Mabe A3 Government/Politics A4 Marvin West/Lynn Hutton A5 Dr. Jim Tumblin A6 Faith A7 Kids A10
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Charlotte Ch h l tttt M Mill Miller points i t outt hi historical t i l markers as she tells stories of those buried in Old Gray Cemetery. Photos by C.Taylor
One of the more unusual tombstones in Old Gray Cemetery dated 1874.
So you came on Sunday afternoons, brought your picnic basket, and you visited and walked the narrow paths that were designed for horse and buggy.” The history of Knoxville is recorded on the headstones. Miller recounted one of her favorite stories.
noon to keep more duels from breaking out. Interestingly enough, Mabry’s father was also killed in a duel when Mabry was only 11. “This is educational and “Gen. (Joseph Alexan- was written about by Mark good fellowship,” said memder Jr.) Mabry donated a Twain in “Life on the Mis- ber Margaret Trammell, large supply of items to the sissippi.” who has been a Noweta Confederate Army and was Miller said all three are member for longer than she awarded the rank of gen- buried in Old Gray, and on can remember. Suzanne eral,” said Miller. “In 1882, the day of the funerals the Sweat is the event planner Mabry and his son were entire town was in an up- for the club. killed in a shootout with roar. One funeral had to “We visit historical placbanker Thomas O’Connor take place in the morning es in Knoxville at least once on Gay Street. The incident and the other in the after- each month,” she said.
School leadership is key McIntyre outlines selection process By Jake Mabe
Index
August 13, 2012
Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre said selecting school administrators is “the most important thing I do” and “I take the job of putting the right school leaders in the right place seriously.” McIntyre said he personally interviews each one. “It’s that important. It’s not something I take lightly and I make the decision based on what’s in the best interest of the school and particularly of the children.” Responding to recent Shopper-News stories in which we questioned personnel decisions at Shannondale Elementary and Halls High, McIntyre said there are times when he has to make difficult decisions. He says principal Jack Nealy “brings to Shannondale what it needs to be a continuing success. “Jack has a great way in terms of working with teachers, parents and students to feel great pride
and to ensure that the school is focused on student learning. I think the Shannondale community will be pleased with his leadership.” McIntyre called former Halls High assistant principal Jason Webster “excellent” and says he was “not involuntarily moved,” adding that Webster’s “initial reaction” was to say no to Jon Rysewyk, supervisor of secondary education, when he first approached Webster about the open assistant principal position at the L&N STEM Academy. Webster was asked to consider it and to talk with McIntyre who says, “I was very clear that I would not involuntarily transfer him. He’s doing great work.” Mike Wise, a teacher at Hardin Valley Academy, has replaced Webster at Halls High. McIntyre acknowledged different philosophies about leadership. “I believe it’s good to keep a principal in place
Dr. Jim McIntyre says his hiring decisions are based on “what’s best for kids and the educational program.” Photo by Ruth White
about the new common core curriculum “and how that impacts what we’re doing, that there is a logical, coherent alignment” between the new curriculum and the school system’s strategic plan. “It was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk to our teachers in one week’s time. I talked a little more about myself personally and got some positive feedback.” This was confirmed by a teacher who said, “It was the best job I’ve ever seen Dr. McIntyre do with this kind of thing.”
‘Difficult decisions’
McIntyre filled 53 school-level administrafor plenty of time but I also tive positions for this acathink it’s valuable for as- demic year, leaving 30 forsistant principals to have a mer principals or assistant variety of experiences and principals unassigned to administration. Many rebroad leadership.” McIntyre praised the tired or quit, two went to Charting the CourSE ses- the Leadership Academy, sions held the week of July but some were reassigned 30, saying it gave him a to the classroom. That process was brutal. chance to talk to 4,000 A veteran administrator Knox County educators
told us: “I was called to Dr. McIntyre’s office and placed at a conference table. He came into the room (along with two others) and said, ‘You’re a nice (person), but not a good fit. I’m placing you back in the classroom.’ “He got up and left and that was it. I gave my heart and soul to (my school) and didn’t even get a handshake for the trouble.” Instead, this administrator will take a multithousand dollar pay cut. Seeking legal recourse, the educator discovered that Tennessee is a rightto-work state, which in part means a superintendent is not required to give a reason for personnel changes. Currently, 29 lawsuits are pending against Knox County Schools, 11 of which were fi led by staff on personnel issues, according to Law Director Joe Jarret. Others include personal injury cases as teachers are not eligible To page A-3 Let us care for your wedding gown…
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