Knox County School Board Approves a New Elementary School in Farragut
WVLT

Knox County School Board Approves a New Elementary School in Farragut

April 11, 2025

The Knox County Board of Education voted unanimously in favor on an agreement that would consist of building a new elementary school costing nearly $44 million.

The proposed design plans are for the new K-5 Farragut-area elementary school located at 202 Village Commons Boulevard. The entire property will encompass more than 144,000 square feet.

Last year, the school board approved plans to build a new school in Farragut. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Garfield Adams said the next step is approving a design.

According to an agreement form, it would cost $43.7 million for Merit Construction, Inc. to build the school. Adams said the funding was approved through the five-year capital plan.

“Very excited for a school that will ensure students have necessary space,” Adams said. “When you have adequate space and state of the art facilities, that is something that certainly enhances that student learning.”

The proposed design plan would build a one-story structure with three classroom wings that can serve up to 1,400 students. Adams said it would be one of the largest elementary schools in the district’s history. He said it will address the need for more space as Farragut continues to grow.

“We work closely with Knox County government. We look at projected numbers,” Adams said. “This additional elementary school will alleviate a lot of those concerns for parents and ensure that our students have the necessary capacity to enhance student learning.”

In addition to the school itself, the cost also includes “limited public street improvements parking, courtyard fences, fencing and playground/playfield.”

The school board discussed the proposed design at a meeting on Monday before voting on Thursday.

Adams said the next step is construction. It is expected to take two years to build before opening.

This school is part of the district’s plans to have three elementary schools in Farragut. Adams said once this one opens, Farragut Primary and Farragut Intermediate will be converted into K-5 schools.

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

Knox County School Board Approves a New Elementary School in Farragut
WVLT

Knox County School Board Approves a New Elementary School in Farragut

April 11, 2025

The Knox County Board of Education voted unanimously in favor on an agreement that would consist of building a new elementary school costing nearly $44 million.

The proposed design plans are for the new K-5 Farragut-area elementary school located at 202 Village Commons Boulevard. The entire property will encompass more than 144,000 square feet.

Last year, the school board approved plans to build a new school in Farragut. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Garfield Adams said the next step is approving a design.

According to an agreement form, it would cost $43.7 million for Merit Construction, Inc. to build the school. Adams said the funding was approved through the five-year capital plan.

“Very excited for a school that will ensure students have necessary space,” Adams said. “When you have adequate space and state of the art facilities, that is something that certainly enhances that student learning.”

The proposed design plan would build a one-story structure with three classroom wings that can serve up to 1,400 students. Adams said it would be one of the largest elementary schools in the district’s history. He said it will address the need for more space as Farragut continues to grow.

“We work closely with Knox County government. We look at projected numbers,” Adams said. “This additional elementary school will alleviate a lot of those concerns for parents and ensure that our students have the necessary capacity to enhance student learning.”

In addition to the school itself, the cost also includes “limited public street improvements parking, courtyard fences, fencing and playground/playfield.”

The school board discussed the proposed design at a meeting on Monday before voting on Thursday.

Adams said the next step is construction. It is expected to take two years to build before opening.

This school is part of the district’s plans to have three elementary schools in Farragut. Adams said once this one opens, Farragut Primary and Farragut Intermediate will be converted into K-5 schools.

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

Loudon County Officials say Rescue Mission is Now a Recovery Mission for Two Teens who Reportedly Jumped from a Bridge into the Tennessee River following a Police Chase

Loudon County Officials say Rescue Mission is Now a Recovery Mission for Two Teens who Reportedly Jumped from a Bridge into the Tennessee River following a Police Chase

April 11, 2025

A search in Loudon County for two missing teens has now become a recovery mission.

Sheriff Jimmy Davis making the announcement yesterday (Thursday). It’s the latest update in a rescue effort that was started by a call from Blake Moore who says early Wednesday morning, he got an odd request from a neighbor.

His neighbor told him a young man was on their porch needing an Uber ride to Chattanooga.

That young man turned out to be one of three teens Loudon County Sheriff’s Office officials say led deputies on a chase down I-75 in a stolen car, which was later found near the bridge.

Further investigation indicates that the three boys somehow jumped from the bridge. After more than a day of searching, Davis said the search has turned into a rescue mission after a search of the bank and in nearby woods were unsuccessful, rescuers  began searching in the water.

One teen who was detained told police he jumped into the Tennessee River from the bridge on I-75 in Loudon County. (Courtesy: LCSO)
Tennessee Department of Education Releases Checklist to Receive State Money to Send Children to Private School

Tennessee Department of Education Releases Checklist to Receive State Money to Send Children to Private School

April 11, 2025

The Tennessee Department of Education has released a checklist for families interested in getting state money to send their children to private school.

The checklist centers on the controversial Education Freedom Scholarship Program, also known as the school voucher bill which uses state dollars to families interested in private school.  That bill passed at the start of this year during a special session.

Those picked to receive a scholarship will get $7,295 to go towards enrolling in private school.  The Tennessee Department of Education will award 20,000 scholarships with two types of eligibility, Universal Scholarships Open to any eligible student Quali ed Scholarships Reserved for eligible students based on income, IEA eligibility, or ESA eligibility .  

Please go to https://www.tn.gov/education/efs.html to view the complete checklist.

Tennessee Department of Education Releases Checklist to Receive State Money to Send Children to Private School

Tennessee Department of Education Releases Checklist to Receive State Money to Send Children to Private School

April 11, 2025

The Tennessee Department of Education has released a checklist for families interested in getting state money to send their children to private school.

The checklist centers on the controversial Education Freedom Scholarship Program, also known as the school voucher bill which uses state dollars to families interested in private school.  That bill passed at the start of this year during a special session.

Those picked to receive a scholarship will get $7,295 to go towards enrolling in private school.  The Tennessee Department of Education will award 20,000 scholarships with two types of eligibility, Universal Scholarships Open to any eligible student Quali ed Scholarships Reserved for eligible students based on income, IEA eligibility, or ESA eligibility .  

Please go to https://www.tn.gov/education/efs.html to view the complete checklist.

Nearly $6K Missing from Blount County Fire Protection District, TN Comptroller Says

Nearly $6K Missing from Blount County Fire Protection District, TN Comptroller Says

April 10, 2025

Blount County, TN (WOKI) The Blount County Fire Protection District is on-the-hook for nearly $6,000 in missing funds, an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office reveals.

According to investigators, employees of BCFPD failed to record or deposit a minimum of $5,785 in customer cash between January and November of 2023. The Comptroller’s Office says that employees collected the money from customers and issued pre-numbered receipts but didn’t deposit the money or record the transactions in the district’s accounting system.

In some instances, a customer’s annual charge was deleted from the system, investigators said. This means that those customers might not have received notices about delinquent payments and may have been left without fire coverage.

Investigators found that employees shared login credentials and a single cash drawer, making them unable to determine who was responsible for the missing cash.

“It’s essential that government offices handling cash collections implement strong safeguards and oversight,” said Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “When multiple employees share login credentials and a single cash drawer, it becomes much harder to identify who is responsible when money goes missing.”

The Blount County Fire Protection District is on-the-hook for nearly $6,000 in missing funds, an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office reveals. (Credit: Frankly Media)
Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies Hosts Yearly Career Expo

Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies Hosts Yearly Career Expo

April 10, 2025

(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County students got the chance to rub shoulders Thursday with future employers during the school district’s third annual career expo.

The hiring event is part of Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies program and allows teens to get a jump start on summer jobs, seasonal employment or even careers.

“We want to make sure that every student has a plan as they graduate, whether that is to enroll in a post-secondary program, enlist in the military to serve our country or go into an employment,” Executive Director of College and Career Readiness for Knox County Schools Shannon Jackson said. “And if they go into employment, it is with the aim of having a career and a family sustaining wage.”

The University of Tennessee Medical Center continued the tradition of being the event’s title employer. Justin Newman with the hospital said it’s an event they look forward to.

“What we really try to do is break down the stigma that a hospital is just doctors and nurses,” Newman said. “We’ve got multiple booths set up that will have patient transport opportunities which we can hire high school students or somebody that’s just freshly graduated for.”

Dozens of employers participated in the event, including Zoo Knoxville and city and county organizations.

It’s part of Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies program. The hiring event allowed teens to get a jump start on summer jobs, season employment or even careers. (Courtesy: WVLT)
An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured
rural metro

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured

April 10, 2025

An investigation is underway following an early morning (Thursday) hit and run accident in Halls.

Rural Metro Fire crews called to Maynardville Highway near East Emory Road and found one damaged car in the road while the other vehicle had fled the scene.

The driver of the vehicle at the scene was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information, please contact authorities.

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured
rural metro

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured

April 10, 2025

An investigation is underway following an early morning (Thursday) hit and run accident in Halls.

Rural Metro Fire crews called to Maynardville Highway near East Emory Road and found one damaged car in the road while the other vehicle had fled the scene.

The driver of the vehicle at the scene was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information, please contact authorities.

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

April 10, 2025

We now know more details in a fatal motorcycle crash in North Knoxville.

The crash happened Friday night on Green Estates Way off East Beaver Creek when a car, driven by 32 year-old Antonio Campos was pulling out from a gravel lot, homes are still under construction on this road, to turn left onto the road when a motorcycle driven by 24 year-old Derek Green hit Campos’ car. Police say the motorcycle was going fast and the driver hit a dumpster and was thrown across the road.

Campos, who does not speak English, was cited for not having a driver’s license, Financial responsibility and failure to yield right of way.

Podcasts

What's happening