PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus May 6, 2019 May 6, 2019 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE A1 **HUGE AUCTION** FRIDAY, May 10 at 6PM The Knoxvillele Over 400 lots! See pictures at fountaincityauction.com Fountain City Auction (865)474-9931 OCUS FREETake One! www.knoxfocus.com F May 6, 2019 Phone: 865-686-9970 | PO Box 18377, Knoxville, TN 37928 | Located at 4109 Central Avenue Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37912 Governor’s ESA Legislation Passes! Voucher Bill Passes Legislature By Steve Hunley, Knox County have their Publisher own problems which have [email protected] never been spent out of existence by the public True to his word on the school system. By the reck- campaign trail last year, oning of the Knox County Governor Bill Lee asked the School system, 89% of the Tennessee General Assem- students attending magnet bly to pass his Education- schools here do not read al Savings Account bill to at grade level proficiency. give Tennessee families Then-Knox County Mayor and students a choice in Tim Burchett funded a her- their future. Those Repub- alded reading program that licans in the legislature appeared to work until the who stuck with Gover- school system larded it nor Lee, like Speaker Pro with teacher coaches to Tem Bill Dunn of Knoxville, the point where educators felt the sound and fury of were spending 60% of their numerous school boards time with coaches and only across the state, less as 40% with students. Bur- advocates for students chett pulled back the spe- and children than as shills cial funding he had provid- for teachers’ unions. The ed. National Education Asso- The teachers’ union and ciation gave $20 million in their allies fumed because contributions to its favored it was the worst defeat they candidates in 2016, while Bill Dunn, Speaker Pro Tem, makes a signal as the vote was being taken on the ESA bill in the state house last week as have suffered in the Ten- the American Federation of Speaker Glen Casada watches from the back. Chairman of the budget subcommittee Andy Holt is pictured on the left nessee General Assembly Teachers gave roughly $12 and Republican leader William Lamberth is on the right. since both chambers have million to its endorsed can- had Republican majorities. didates. From 2017-2018 The only similar loss was The NEA had spent more continues to swirl after a General Assembly only That is the state’s marker our community is confront- when the teachers’ unions than $19 million, while fierce fight inside the legis- affects those schools in “and a widely accepted ed with data that tells us could not stall or defeat the American Federation lature. Knox County Board three districts, including indicator of” both “college only 25% of these students the education reform leg- of Teachers has spent in of Education member Jen- Shelby and Davidson coun- and career readiness. Ms. are actually ready for the islation sponsored by then- excess of $10 million. It’s nifer Owen has issued a ties that are failing. Knox- Scarlett’s article grew even next step.” Scarlett rueful- Governor Lamar Alexander. not uncommon to see state full-throated call for can- ville has its own schools more alarming when she ly noted the “reality is that Considering the teachers organizations to spend lib- didates to challenge those that are failing. Tara Scar- shared “the state assess- the other 75% of MNPS stu- and their unions have usu- erally in local races, hoping who did not hew to the lett, writing in the Nashville ment indicates 89% of our dents will likely struggle to ally managed to have their to influence decisions on line favored by the teach- Tennessean noted “80% high school students are find and keep a job that way with issues involv- pensions and benefits, all ers’ union. Patti Bounds is of our students graduat- not proficient in grade level pays a living wage, or will ing charter schools and of which are paid for by the being urged to challenge ed high school on time”, math; and 81% are not pro- spend their first year at col- vouchers, it is all the more taxpayers. In fact, legisla- Bill Dunn, the champion of but “this same report also ficient in grade level Eng- lege or university in reme- remarkable newcomer Bill tors were besieged and lob- choice for children in Ten- shows that three out of lish Language Arts. Tara dial courses.” Lee was the governor who bied by school board mem- nessee, inside a Republi- four MNPS (Metro Nash- Scarlett’s article conclud- Those statistics are made history in allowing bers whose association is can primary. ville Public Schools) stu- ed as the Metro Nashville not confined to David- families and students to funded entirely through tax- The ESA legislation dents did not score a 21 Public Schools continue to son County and Nashville have a choice in deciding payer dollars. The politics approved by the Tennessee or higher on the ACT…” pass out diplomas “even as alone. Shelby County and their educational future. Recode special meeting called, council members respond By Mike Steely OTHER OPEN SPACES, THE DEN- Planning Director Gerald Green so will the Recode effort if adopt- [email protected] SITY OF POPULATION AND THE had promised the fifth draft of ed. It appears that some coun- ‘Final’ draft of Knoxville Mayor Madeline USE OF BUILDINGS, STRUC- the new regulations prior to the cil members want more time to Recode regulations Rogero has called a special city TURES AND LAND FOR TRADE, called meeting. Apparently this review the proposal. council meeting for Tuesday, May INDUSTRY, RESIDENCE, RECRE- fifth draft of the 250-plus pages The Focus asked all the city released 14th, in the main assembly room ATION, PUBLIC ACTIVITIES AND was sent to council members last council members to comment. When the city council of the City-Council Building. The OTHER PURPOSES; AND FOR week. Their comments appear in the meets in a called session on initial notification, sent to mem- SUCH PURPOSED TO DIVIDE THE Several council members have order in which they were received. May 14 they will have had bers of the council, makes no MUNICIPALITY INTO DISTRICTS asked, “Why the rush to adopt two weeks to review what the mention of Recode but that’s the OR ZONES OF SUCH NUMBER, ReCode?” and it is not certain Councilman George Wallace said, planning commission staff purpose of the 3 p.m. meeting. SHAPE AND AREA AS MAY BE that the final version will be “Generally I’m in favor of Recode has labeled as the “Final It appears the mayor is call- DETERMINED, AND REGULATE adopted. but we have not seen the final Recode Draft.” That might ing for the first of two votes on a THE ERECTION, CONSTRUCTION, Opponents of the huge chang- draft or the final map. There are be wishful thinking as several complete revamping of the city’s RECONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION es are planning to speak against too many unknown variables at council members want more zoning regulations, building spec- AND USE OF BUILDINGS AND them. this point to commit whether I’ll time to review the document. ifications, and other changes to STRUCTURES AND THE USE OF “That’s outrageous,” Larry Sil- be ready to vote on it on May The mayor’s office is asking planning rules. The entire one- LAND.” verstein, of Community Forum, 14th. We need adequate time & for public comments to be page notice for the meeting puts told The Focus, adding, “I don’t the public needs adequate time made by May 10 to be dis- every word in capital letters: The notice also includes the know if it can be stopped or to review the final drafts.” cussed at the called meeting. repeal of Ordinance No. 3369 stopped before the 14th.” For more information and AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUN- and all amendments attached The Planning Commission Councilman Andrew Roberto told to view the final draft ordi- CIL OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE to it and adds the enforcement approved the changes back in The Focus, “As I stated in the nance and map, visit www. TO REGULATE THE LOCATION, and penalties for violation of the January and several public meet- last workshop, I believe that both recodeknoxville.com. To HEIGHT, BULK, NUMBER OF new ordinance. ings have been held, with some Council and the public need ade- submit comments or con- STORIES AND SIZE OF BUILD- The Focus asked the may- changes to Recode made during quate time to review the changes tact staff, send an email to INGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES, or’s office and Vice-Mayor Fin- the months since, including three in the 5th draft prior to a vote on [email protected]. THE PERCENTAGE OF THE LOT barr Saunders about the spe- council work sessions. The fifth the matter. I wanted the public to WHICH MAY BE OCCUPIED, THE cial meeting notice and both and possibly final version is evolv- SIZE OF YARDS, COURTS AND answered “Recode.” ing and, as proponents contend, Continued on page 4 The Focus and special advertisers would like to applaud the top of area schools’ 2019 class beginning this week. We wish the best for all graduates. Congratulations! PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus May 6, 2019 Tips on Completing the Paternity Form at the Hospital As a father the father. The of two young paternity form children, I still is a legal doc- remember my ument saying time at the hos- who the bio- pital surround- logical father ing their births. of the child is.