PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus May 26, 2020 May 26, 2020 www.knoxfocus.com ONLINE AUCTIONPAGE A1 FRIDAY, May 29 The Knoxvillele Over 400 lots! See pictures at fountaincityauction.com Fountain City Auction (865)474-9931 FREE OCUS Take One! www.knoxfocus.com F May 26, 2020 Phone: 865-686-9970 | PO Box 18377, Knoxville, TN 37928 | Located at 4109 Central Avenue Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37912 KCS announces graduation schedule Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Despite the challenges pre- sented by COVID-19, Knox County Schools is committed to honoring this year’s graduates and to celebrat- ing their achievements. With that in mind, Superintendent Bob Thomas recently announced a plan to hold graduation ceremonies between June 8 and June 20. These events will be held at each school’s football field, except for Career Magnet Academy, Paul Kelley Acad- emy and L&N STEM Academy, which will hold graduation ceremonies at Central High School. Ridgedale and PHOTO BY KEN LAY. K.A.E.C. will host graduation ceremo- nies at their respective schools. Several Central High School seniors are saluted and cheered at a recent parade on the school’s campus. A full schedule is included below. Each graduate will be provided tick- ets to bring up to four guests. Attend- ees will be expected to follow precau- tionary guidelines such as physical COVID-19 won’t stop distancing among guests, wearing a mask or cloth face covering and stay- ing home if experiencing fever, cough or other symptoms. the Class of 2020 By Ken Lay Graduation and so much of the Fountain “This all kind of started when honor Central’s seniors. Schedule Since March, Knoxville’s City Community wanted to the school board announced “With the county starting to schools have been closed due send the students off with a how they were going to handle open things up, we wanted to MONDAY, JUNE 8 to the COVID-19 pandemic. bang that traffic was backed graduation and we were not give people the opportunity 9 a.m. – Halls High School Classes, school activities, up past Essary Road. happy,” Ackerman said. “It was to acknowledge and cheer on 7 p.m. – Powell High School sports and some proms have The seniors were positioned done with the blessing of the their seniors,” said DeBusk. TUESDAY, JUNE 9 been canceled and many in the school’s main parking administration and (Central The senior students were 9 a.m. – Karns High School schools have postponed grad- lot, observing social distanc- principal) Dr. (Andrew) Brown. grateful to the community but 7 p.m. – South-Doyle High uation ceremonies until mid- ing guidelines, while vehicles It was done with the approval one graduate, Trevor Holbert, School June. circled the perimeter of the of the administration and Dr. said he expected community WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 That left parents and admin- school with horns honking and Brown got the message out.” to show up in force. Rain Date istrators to take things into congratulatory signs waving. “We just wanted to do some- “Fountain City has always THURSDAY, JUNE 11 their own hands to honor the Many of the 2020 gradu- thing for these seniors in this been a really big, really good 9 a.m. – Carter High School Class of 2020. ates were dressed in their class and we knew that we family and we were expecting Noon – Ridgedale School Carter, Hardin Valley Acad- caps and gowns while they were going to get support 7 p.m. – Fulton High School emy, Christian Academy of accepted praise from the from our community in Foun- something like this,” Holbert FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Knoxville have had parades passing vehicles. tain City.” said. 9 a.m. – Austin-East High honoring their senior classes. The event was organized by Prior to the event, Ackerman Taylor Ackerman shared Hol- School On Friday, May 15, Cen- a group of senior parents who said she was hoping for a big bert’s sentiments. Noon – K.A.E.C. tral High School had a drive- wanted to salute their children turnout and she obviously got “I (thought) people would 7 p.m. – Gibbs High School by parade to honor its 2020 one final time. it. show up because they knew SATURDAY, JUNE 13 senior class, which has 225 One parent was Alison Kevin DeBusk, another how hard we worked for the 9 a.m. – Central High School students. Ackerman, whose daughter, parent who had a hand in orga- last 13 years to get here,” she 7 p.m. – Bearden High School The parade went in a circle Taylor, is a cheerleader for the nizing the parade, said he was said. “This shows that people MONDAY, JUNE 15 around the front of the school Bobcats, pleased to have the chance to here really still care about us.” 9 a.m. – Paul Kelley Academy (at Central High) 7 p.m. – Hardin Valley Acad- emy TUESDAY, JUNE 16 9 a.m. – L&N STEM Academy Absentee ballot requests up (at Central High) 7 p.m. – Career Magnet Acad- emy (at Central High) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 in Knox County By Mike Steely Rain Date Senior Writer “We’re overrun with requests,” Rodgers they can request an absentee ballot. July 30 THURSDAY, JUNE 18 [email protected] said. He added that most older voters usu- is the final day to ask for that ballot. 7 p.m. – West High School ally choose to vote in person and that many Early voting begins the July 17 and runs FRIDAY, JUNE 19 Cliff Rodgers is leaving his post as admin- see it as a social outing. through August 1. 7 p.m. – Farragut High School istrator of elections for Knox County on May “Now it seems they are paying attention,” Chris Davis will be replacing Rodgers and SATURDAY, JUNE 20 29 and is finding his closing days busier he said of the growing number of absentee has announced the election commission Rain Date than he thought he might be. The COVID-19 ballot requests. will meet June 18 to continue to prepare pandemic has caused an upsurge in people Knox County will see paper ballots the for the August 6 election. That election is * In the event of inclement requesting an absentee ballot. first time in recent history in the August the general election for county commission- weather, the school’s gradua- Rodgers told The Focus that in the 6 election. The election commission is to ers, property assessor, law director, school tion ceremony will be resched- last election only 800 people requested begin training election workers in staggered board members, and Farragut aldermen. uled to the next available rain absentee ballots but the office had already classes in June. August 6 is also the primary election for date. received about 1,300 requests as of last He also said that the Tennessee Secre- U. S. President, Senate, House of Repre- Monday. The first day to request an absen- tary of State is sending letters to every regis- sentatives, and the Tennessee Senate and tee ballot was May 8. tered senior citizen in June reminding them House. TEN 2019 models left in inventory. Save thousands with 0% finacing available The BEST of 2020 with approved credit The Knoxville Focus and special advertisers would like to applaud the top of area schools’ Class of 2020 as well recognise their top student athletes. 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd . Clinton, TN 865.457.0704 Congratulations! www.rayvarnerford.com PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus May 26, 2020 Using CARES Act funds to save the fund balance By Mike Steely Senior Writer Act funds to pay some cur- purchase any new textbooks, [email protected] rent expenses and put those cut back on mental health regular incoming funds into services, reduce contracted In financial statements part of their 2020-2021 services and make “deep last week during the Knox budget. That would free up cuts” in the central office. County Audit Committee and the funds they would be “There’s nothing really the Knox County Commis- drawing from the fund bal- positive about this pandem- sion meetings, it is obvious ance and the money saved ic,” one school spokesman that the COVID-19 pandem- would feed the fund balance. said. ic may gut the county and Russ Oaks, chief operat- Knox County Finance school budgets this year and ing officer of Knox County Director Chris Caldwell told next. The school system may Schools, spoke at the com- the audit committee that even violate funding policies mission meeting Monday the effect of the pandem- allotted from the federal gov- and when asked about using ic won’t show up until the ernment’s CARES Act. the CARES funds to feed the next sales tax report from The Coronavirus Act Relief system’s fund balance said, the state. He said the last and Economic Secure Act, “We won’t label it as such.” report showed the county better known as the CARES The school board recently $2.8 million ahead and now Act, puts about $12.8 million authorized the purchase of he expects a downturn. He in the Knox School System Chromebooks for each stu- said local sales tax collec- with a small portion required dent in the upcoming budget tion for March showed an for private schools. Part of despite the projected major increase as people rushed the remainder is slated to go revenue losses from sales to the stores to stock up on for a three-year $7 million taxes during the crisis. The supplies for the pandemic. lease of computer equip- system gets one-third of its He added the county has suf- ment for each of the coun- operating budget from sales fered also with a big loss in ty’s 60,000 students.