February 2 Candidate Forum, Board of Education
February 4 Candidate Forum, Prop Asses/Law Director
February 8 Board meeting
February 10 Early voting begins
February 23 Early voting ends
February 25 Member meeting, Community Schools
March 1 Election Day March 14 Board meeting
March 15 AAUW Forum on pay equity for women
March 24 Member meeting—priorities for 2016-17
Hello everyone!
Election time is upon us again! Luckily for our League we have a truly wonderful Voter Services Chair and committee that are ready to spring into action for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County.
Thanks to those of you who made it out to our County Commission forum. We were pulling out extra chairs at the last minute, and so happy to be doing so. I hope to see more of you at the forums this week! You can find dates, times, and locations for those below. Also be on the lookout for our Voter Guide! Give it a read before heading out to your polling place
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You can make a difference this primary season--not just by voting yourself, but by helping people figure out where to vote, pointing them towards information about candidates, and maybe even giving someone a ride. Take the time to remind those around you to cast their ballot. Download the GoVoteTN app put together by the state for polling locations, district information, and election results!
In League, Rynn Dupes, President League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County
LWV Community Schools Celebration! Thursday, February 25 6:00-7:30 pm Reception 5:30-6:00 pm South Knox Elementary Community Library 801 Sevier Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
The League of Women Voters is celebrating Knoxville's Community Schools! Knoxville now has twelve Community Schools benefiting students, neighborhoods and even downtown development. The League has been a proud advocate of Community Schools since 2003, and you’re invited to see this success in person, while celebrating three visionary leaders who sparked the movement.
What is a community school? It’s a school that aligns community resources for student success, family health, and safe, well-connected neighborhoods. Community Schools stay open into the evening and offer extra instructional time as well as recreation, arts, health, adult education and any other services a neighborhood might want. To work, it takes a Site Council of staff, teachers, and local community members along with a full time Site Coordinator who works closely with the principal.
During our program, we will update members on Community Schools, then tour the school in small groups with local leaders to see directly the ways this school is linked to the neighborhood and is becoming a driving force in South Knoxville and downtown development.
South Knox Elementary, a thriving school in the heart of the new South Knox Waterfront District is hosting this community-wide event. Please RSVP online HERE to help us with planning. If you prefer, please contact Jamey Dobbs at (865) 548-0818 or jameydobbs@yahoo.com.
Community School Visionaries To Be Honored
The three honorees at the League reception on February 25 will be: Dr. Bob Kronick, longtime Community Schools advocate at the University of Tennessee and founder of Knoxville’s first University-Assisted Community School; Superintendent Jim McIntyre, who provided the vision and funding for Knox County Schools’ Community School pilot program; and Buzz Thomas, Executive Director of the Great Schools Partnership, whose determination and excellent leadership made possible the expansion and long-term support of Community Schools.
The reception starts at 5:30 pm on Feb. 25, with a light buffet followed by a program on Community Schools.
Please RSVP to Jamey Dobbs at 548-0818 or jameydobbs@yahoo.com.
County Commission Primary Forum a Success!
On Thursday January 28 the LWVKKC held its first in a series of three forums for the local primary election on March 1. The first forum focused on the candidates running for County Commission districts 1, 2, 4, and 6.
Our forum was held at the Emporium Center, and we had between 80 and 90 attendees – an incredible turnout! This successful forum was cosponsored by the NAACP and the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville whose Executive Director, Liza Zenni, did a wonderful job serving as moderator.
Please don’t forget to join us for our next two forums! The School Board forum will be held on February 2, 6:30 p.m. at Pellissippi State Community College’s Magnolia campus (1610 E. Magnolia, Ave., Knoxville, 37917).
The forum for the positions of Law Director and Property Assessor will be held at the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (601 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville, 37902) on February 4, 6:30 p.m.
Citizen Academy Focus: Public Education
The 2016 League of Women Voters Citizen Academy will focus on the topic of Public Education. The League will host a full day workshop on Saturday, April 9 at West High School for all interested parents, teachers, current or rising community leaders and elected officials. We know this will be a popular topic because so many League members value education but don’t have a full grasp of the fundamentals. Save that date!
As in past Citizen Academies, the League will invite local experts and staff to teach citizens the basics of local government – this time as it applies to public schools. Topics will include Education Law and Finance, Roles of School Board and Superintendent, School Facility Planning, Effective Advocacy Skills, and much more.
A planning committee is forming and League members who are interested in this topic are invited to contact Committee Chair Jamey Dobbs at (865) 548-0818 or at jameydobbs@yahoo.com.
Legislative Breakfast 2016
Q & A with Senators Richard Briggs and Becky Massey.
LWVKKC Board of Directors
President, Rynn Dupes First Vice President, Judy Barnette Second Vice President, Lance McCold Secretary, Candice Gilreath Treasurer, Joyce Feld
Directors: Maggie Carini, Jamey Dobbs, Mary English, Linda Maccabe, Ginna Mashburn, Judy Poulson, Ann Strange
longtime Community Schools advocate at the University of Tennessee and founder of Knoxville’s first University-Assisted Community School; Superintendent Jim McIntyre, who provided the vision and funding for Knox County Schools’ Community School pilot program; and Buzz Thomas, Executive Director of the Great Schools Partnership, whose determination and excellent leadership made possible the expansion and long-term support of Community Schools. 
