Time change idea sets off alarm

[Lola Alapo]

A proposal to change the start time of seven Knox County high schools drew the sharpest criticism Wednesday during a forum about the school system's 2009-10 budget.

From concerns about its impact on family schedules and parents' jobs to teens' driving safety and athletic practice, parents and others expressed opposition to the idea, which could save the school system $700,000.

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[Amy Wright]

Dear Lola:Can you give us an idea of who was doing the criticizing? I have received e-mails from parents who are asking others to speak up. They have been informed that no one is coming forward on this issue. This is the reason for my asking.

[Lola Alapo]

Most of the parents who spoke last night were against the idea. They represented the seven schools potentially affected. There was also one bus driver who was against it.

[Cathy McCaughan]

People ARE sending e-mails, making phone calls and talking about the proposal to change some of the high school schedules. I have had parents and teenagers approach me about this issue repeatedly in the past week.

[Darlene Hunter]

I couldn't attend the meetings so I emailed the school board and Dr. McIntyre. I received replies from Karen Carson, Indya Kincannon-sounded like she would vote for it, Cindy Buttry and today Thomas Deakins. Mr. Deakins told me he had received over 100 emails on the topic. I still am against it. I feel money could be found elsewhere and $700,000 in savings is just not enough to justify the problems this will cause. However, if they must cahnge the times of half of the schools, I feel they should be moved earlier instead of later.

[Amy Wright]

The e-mail that I received was in regards to Gibbs HS parents. According to sources the students at GHS were told by the principal that "downtown" had called asking if anyone had called him regarding the issue. His report at that time was no.