The Daily Times

SIX MONTHS OF DISCUSSIONS

Blount County Schools and Innovation Education Partnership Inc. (IEP) were engaged in discussions for nearly six months.

Earlier this year, community members started talking about the possibility of establishing a charter school. Within several months, they had formed IEP and were actively working to establish HOPE Academy.

In late May, IEP expressed interest in establishing the charter school in Alcoa. The organization, however, never presented an application to the Alcoa Board of Education.

IEP later shifted its focus and started reviewing county sites. Shortly thereafter, Blount County emerged as the front-runner.

On June 2, Tab Burkhalter Jr., a founding member and District 1-B county commissioner, informed the Blount County Board of Education of IEP’s intent to submit a charter school application to the elected body.

The organization also submitted waiver requests for 21 state laws and state Board of Education rules and regulations. Founding members even asked for a waiver that would open HOPE Academy to all students within the county’s geographical boundaries, including Maryville and Alcoa.

On June 20, Burkhalter gave a presentation to the Blount County Board of Education.

In late July, IEP held two events to inform the public about charter schools and HOPE Academy.

APPLICATION DENIED

On Aug. 2, the Blount County Board of Education and IEP discussed the charter school application in a nearly five-hour meeting. During the work session, Blount County school officials discussed instruction and programming, school finance and special education services.

On Aug. 4, the Blount County Board of Education voted 6-0 against HOPE Academy’s application. The late John Davis was absent.

School board members awarded 35½ out of 100 points to the group’s application. They denied the application based on “the discovery of incomplete information, inaccurate information, conflicts with the old law versus the new law, issues and concerns related to the educational plan, governance and policies, as well as operations and finance.”

APPLICATION DENIED AGAIN

IEP later revised its application and submitted the amended application on Aug. 29.

The organization also revised its enrollment waiver in this application. Founding members currently seek to waive Blount County’s transfer policy so they can open enrollment to out-of-district students who meet the charter school’s guidelines and eligibility requirements.

On Sept. 8, school board members voted 5-0 against the amended application. Davis and Chris Cantrell were absent.

School board members awarded 41 out of 100 points to the group’s amended application.