Map: See how schools are grouped in new Knox County Schools regional structure
The third largest school district in Tennessee has revealed the new structure that will group schools based on their distinct needs and geography.
New district superintendent Jon Rysewyk and his team have organized Knox County's 91 schools into five regional groups in hopes of promoting "responsiveness and community ownership" within the district.
These regions are new to Knox County Schools and differ from the nine districts represented by the Knox County Board of Education board members.
“It is important for district leaders to clearly understand the unique needs of school communities across Knox County,” Rysewyk said in a release on Thursday. “I believe that regional teams will allow us to act quickly and effectively in pursuing the priorities of excellence in foundational skills, great educators in every school, career empowerment and preparation, and success for every student.”
The regions each have about 17 schools and are based around school feeder patterns and "geographic proximity," although some regions' schools are spread out across communities more than others.
Each region has a director and supervisor who, together, bring experience in both elementary and secondary education. These are new positions that have been filled by existing Knox County Schools employees.
In this system, regional leaders and additional support members can be more responsive to the needs and questions of families and schools, Knox County Schools Chief of Communications Carly Harrington said.
Several of the new directors — the top leader in each region — and supervisors are Knox County Schools principals or assistant principals. The district will fill those principal positions, Harrington told Knox News.
Rysewyk announced the idea behind the restructuring earlier this month, saying that a "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't meet school communities' needs, and the shift will allow the administration to better engage with individual schools.
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Here's a look at what the regions look like.
Region one
This first region includes schools across West Knox County, stretching across neighborhoods like West View, Sequoyah Hills and Farragut.
Danny Trent, former Halls Middle School teacher and current executive director of secondary education, will direct the region alongside supervisor Shelly Maddux, the current principal of Amherst Elementary school.
School board members Evetty Satterfield, Daniel Watson, Virginia Babb and Susan Horn serve students in this region.
Schools in this region include: A.L. Lotts Elementary, Bearden Elementary, Blue Grass Elementary, Farragut Intermediate, Farragut Primary, Northshore Elementary, Pond Gap Elementary, Rocky Hill Elementary, Sequoyah Elementary, West Hills Elementary, West View Elementary, Bearden Middle, Farragut Middle, West Valley Middle, Bearden High, Farragut High, West High
Region two
This region includes West Knox County north of Interstate 40, including schools in Powell, Karns, Cedar Bluff and Hardin Valley. The regional director is a familiar face in this area: Nathan Langlois, former Powell High School assistant principal and current director of advancement and diversity. The supervisor for the region is Christy Dowell, the current supervisor of elementary education.
Langlois will be leaving his position as the district's director of advancement and diversity, a position he's held since 2021, but the district will fill that position, Harrington told Knox News on Thursday.
School board members Watson, Betsy Henderson and Patti Bounds serve students in this region.
Schools in this region include: Amherst Elementary, Ball Camp Elementary, Cedar Bluff Elementary, Hardin Valley Elementary, Karns Elementary, Norwood Elementary, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Powell Elementary, West Haven Elementary, Cedar Bluff Middle, Hardin Valley Middle, Karns Middle, Northwest Middle, Powell Middle, Ridgedale, Hardin Valley Academy, Karns High, Powell High
Region three
This region is more sprawling. Schools are spread throughout South Knoxville, South Knox County and East Knox County. The regional director for this area is Megan O'Dell, who currently serves as the principal of Brickey-McCloud Elementary School. Thomas Watson is the region supervisor.
School board members Satterfield, Mike McMillan and Kristy Kristy serve students in this region.
Schools in this region include: Bonny Kate Elementary, Carter Elementary, Chilhowee Intermediate, Dogwood Elementary, East Knox Elementary, Gap Creek Elementary, Mooreland Heights Elementary, Mount Olive Elementary, New Hopewell Elementary, South Knoxville Elementary, Sunnyview Primary, Carter Middle, South-Doyle Middle, Career Magnet Academy, Carter High, L&N STEM Academy, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy, South-Doyle High
Region four
This region is made up of schools primarily in North Knoxville, North Knox County and Fountain City, with as well as few of Knox County Schools' alternative schools. Cindy White, who's currently the assistant principal at Austin-East Magnet High School, will be the director for this region, and Adam Parker is the supervisor.
School board members Jennifer Owen, Bounds and McMillan serve students in this region.
Schools in this region include: Adrian Burnett Elementary, Brickey-McCloud Elementary, Copper Ridge Elementary, Corryton Elementary, Fort Sanders Educational Development Center, Fountain City Elementary, Gibbs Elementary, Halls Elementary, Inskip Elementary, Ritta Elementary, Shannondale Elementary, Sterchi Elementary, Gibbs Middle, Gresham Middle, Halls Middle, K.A.E.C., Central High, Gibbs High, Halls High, Richard Yoakley
These first four regions will report to the assistant superintendent of academics, Dr. Keith Wilson.
Region five
While the other four regions include schools within both Knoxville and Knox County, schools in region five are only in the city of Knoxville. Dr. Dexter Murphy is the director for this region and most recently served as the director of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) programs. Sallee Reynolds is the supervisor.
According to Knox County Schools, Murphy and Reynolds will work directly with assistant superintendent of student success Jason Myers to provide "concentrated supports" and partnerships with external organizations to students in this region.
“We want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to provide additional supports to schools in Region Five and help them overcome obstacles to success,” said Rysewyk. “With Region Five under the assistant superintendent of student success, the district will be able to take a multi-layered and innovative approach to meet each school’s needs.”
School board members Satterfield and Owen serve students in this region.
Schools in this region include: Belle Morris Elementary, Beaumont Magnet Academy, Christenberry Elementary, Green Magnet Academy, Lonsdale Elementary, Maynard Elementary, Sam E. Hill Primary (until new Lonsdale school opens), Sarah Moore Green Magnet, Spring Hill Elementary, Holston Middle, Vine Middle, Whittle Springs Middle, Austin-East Magnet High, Fulton High, Knox County Virtual Schools
Assistant superintendents announced
Knox County Schools announced last week who will join his team in a new realigned assistant superintendent structure.
These positions are new titles for existing roles and not additional jobs, Rysewyk said in an interview with Knox News. Several of these hires are familiar faces in the district, and some are coming from nearby counties.
Dr. Keith Wilson will serve as assistant superintendent of academics and oversee learning and literacy, academic supports, and college and career readiness.
Jason Myers will serve as assistant superintendent of student success and oversee English language learning, health services, school culture and special education.
Dr. Garfield Adams will serve as assistant superintendent of operations and oversee security, transportation and maintenance.
Dr. Liz Norton will serve as assistant superintendent of strategy and oversee communications, research, evaluation and assessment, and federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funded programming.
Adams most recently served as executive principal of Oak Ridge High School, and Norton is coming from the Tennessee Department of Education.
“As we work to implement student-centered policies, I believe these individuals are well-equipped to provide leadership for our educational mission,” Rysewyk said. “I am grateful for their willingness to serve, and I look forward to partnering with them as we pursue our district’s four key priorities.”
Knox County Schools is still searching for its assistant superintendent of business and talent, who will oversee human resources and the chief financial officer.
Becca Wright: Higher education reporter at Knox News
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Schools reorganization groups Knoxville schools by region
