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ISSUE 37 VOLUME 25
FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013
Armed Forces Day Saturday, May 18 ■
COURTNEY SUCH csuch@farragutpress.com
Once a holiday that drew crowds to watch parades and celebrate the United States military’s state of preparation, as well as learn how each branch serves this country overseas and on U.S. soil, Armed Forces Day is fading in the eyes of many Knox Countians. Lt. Cmdr. Bob Cosby, Farragut High School senior naval science instructor for Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, recalls Armed Forces Day celebrations while active in the U.S. Navy. While on base, he said he remembers attending picnics during Armed Forces week. Something so simple, yet so meaningful to the sailors to “break the monotony.” He once attended the annual “Fleet Celebration,” or “Fleet Week,” in New York City in 1995. “New York City basically throws us a party every year. It was a really unique
celebration. They treated us very well and took care of the sailors,” Cosby said. Both Cosby and Master Sgt. Jimmy Johnson FHS NJROTC naval science instructor, spark lights in their students’ eyes to serve their country after graduating. Out of 17 graduation seniors, eight of them plan on going into a branch of the Depart-ment of Defense. “We just want them to be successful,” Cosby said. Due to finals, the school is unable to have any sort of celebration during Armed Forces Week. However, an awards ceremony took place for the students on May 2 for all of their accomplishments of the past school year. Bill Coker, FHS Class of 1945, served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946 during World War II. Unfortunately, he has never had the opportunity to participate in an Armed Forces Day celebration, he laughingly said, “But we See FORCES on Page 3A
Bearden High School chosen for PLD program ■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Chosen as one of only two Knox County high schools — one of just 10 K12 public schools countywide — to have each of its estimated 2,000 students equipped with electronic Personalized Learning Devices beginning next school year, Bearden High School is in a unique position. Funded entirely by Knox County Schools, “I think we’re on the cutting edge as far as nationally,” said Dr. John Bartlett, BHS
principal, after his school earned the “1:1” learning device honor following a 15-minute student-led “School Technology Challenge” presentation before a KCS panel of judges March 18. “It’s terribly exciting.” “These devices will take the place of textbooks,” Bartlett added, estimating the value of BHS’s 1:1 PLD technology as “real close to $1 million.” “For a school this size, at 2,000, I’ve done some looking online trying to find a school of 2,000 that’s already done 1-to-1.
There’s not very many of them. Not in Tennessee, not nationally. It’s revolutionary. ... But I realize the responsibility.” Bartlett said he’s looking to communicate with any fellow principal of a similar sized or larger school nationwide that’s had 1:1 PLD technology experience. That would include “visiting their school, depending on where they are,” he added. Meeting this month with the other nine Knox K-12 schools selected, Bartlett said common PLD technology would be chosen from
those meetings. Hoping to have similar PLD technology to West Valley Middle School, another of the 10 schools chosen that is a major feeder to BHS, “We may end up with everybody on the same page, or it may just be the elementary on one page, and all the middle and high school on another page,” Bartlett said. “I think we’ll end up with laptops, to be honest with you. I don’t think we need iPads,” Bartlett See PDL on Page 2A
Patel opposes Hotel/Motel Tax
SERC school volunteer program ‘clouded’ ■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Despite months of work by Farragut Schools Education Relations Committee, attempting to coordinate volunteers who would assist Farragut area schools in the learning process, some disheartening news was presented May 7. Attempting to get at the heart of the matter concerning “community engagement in schools,”
Mark Littleton, SERC chair, reported highlights of his recent communication with Scott Bacon, Knox County Schools supervisor of school partnerships, during SERC’s monthly first Tuesday meeting in Farragut Town Hall boardroom. Referencing school security as a “sensitive, hot topic” following the kindergarten murders last December in Connecticut, “One See SERC on Page 5A
Alan Sloan/farragutpress
Dr. John Bartlett, Bearden High School principal, right, speaks with Bob Hileman, with Digital Group, Hendersonville, as Shane House installs wireless access points inside the school’s copy room.
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Patel
STEPHANIE EDWARDS Correspondent
Concerned business owner Sam Patel voiced his opinion about the proposed hotel/motel tax during the May 9 Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “I really oppose this new tax,” said Patel, owner of Country Inn & Suites, 805 North Campbell Station Road. “On paper this tax
looks great. In reality it’s going to hurt not only our business but also surrounding businesses that benefit from our guests. “The vote went through without proper notification of the tax … You should have approached us and at least told us how it impacts us. The Town has seen [revenue] increases through traditional sources. There’s no reaSee TAX on Page 3A
Community 6A • Death Notices 8A • Westside Faces 14A • Business 1B • Sports 3B • Classifieds 8B • Real Estate Gallery 9B Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce Newsletter 1C
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