Board members face rezoning under new plan

Some parents aren't responding well to getting news their children may be rezoned for another school.

Knox County School Board members are trying to field questions from people in their districts about the rezoning, but they themselves have not yet had the in-depth meeting that will let them know how this will affect their schools and their own families.

"I myself did not find out that my own subdivision was rezoned until I got online and looked and found that in fact, I had been rezoned," Knox County Board Member Cindy Buttry said.

Cindy Buttry represents the third district in Karns, but she is also a mom of a four-year-old son starting school next year. She is one of three school board members who would be rezoned in the proposed plan.

"You move to an area because of the community and you like it. I bought my house four years ago because of schools, so I'm in the same position everybody else is in," Buttry said.

Thomas Deakins represents the sixth district in Farragut, which is expected to lose nearly 700 students to Hardin Valley High School in 2008.

"Right now with the sheer number we have zoned to Hardin Valley, I'm concerned about the number we're taking Farragut down to," Deakins said.

Although Deakins' family would not be rezoned according to this plan, he would be willing to send his children to Hardin Valley.

"By the time my kids get to Hardin, if they were to go to Hardin Valley or to Farragut both are going to be great schools. Farragut is already a great school; Hardin will be a great school," Deakins said. But for now, Board members have more questions than answers.

"If this plan is not the right plan, the Board can vote it down and we will start over," Buttry said. Board members say they did not draw the lines for the new zones. The Knox County Zoning and Transportation Department consulted with the Metropolitan Planning Commission to come up with the proposal.

Board members will be able to ask all their questions next Wednesday April 18 and they will vote on May 2.