The Knox County school board will have an entirely new leader come Sept. 8.
For the first time in years, a Democrat is likely to lead the school board with the 5-4 majority the party clinched in the August general election. But who wants the position?
Being chair is no small task. It's a one-year term. Whoever is in this position presides over each meeting, can call special meetings and sets the tone for each meeting, whether it is contentious or cordial. The chair also is the main point of contact with district leaders, setting the agenda for each board meeting.
Katherine Bike, who recently won reelection to a second term, and Anne Templeton told Knox News they are both interested in the position. Returning Democrat Patricia Fontenot-Ridley did
not respond to multiple requests for comment. Breyauna Holloway and Brandy Jenkins are new to the board.
How and when is a chair chosen?
A chair is selected by their fellow board members. So is the vice chair, and the person in that role takes over some powers from the chair in their absence.
Terri Coatney, school board executive assistant, told Knox News the board will vote on new leaders before the Sept. 8 board meeting, and the new chair will take power Sept. 10 at the first regular session meeting. Vice Chair Travis Wright will preside over the meetings until then.
Typically, board members nominate each other for the position. Bike hoped her fellow board members would "appreciate my work enough" to nominate her, but would nominate herself if that didn't happen. Templeton said she would be honored by a nomination but would not nominate herself.
Why is the chair an important position?
Terry Hill, a former school board chair, told Knox News it "really lies" with the chair to set the tone for the monthly agenda.
"Certainly the chair has the prerogative to remove something from the agenda, but it is rare that that would happen," Hill explained. "Typically, the chair is very open to anything submitted by other board members as well as everything submitted through the school board senior staff."
But, the chair does have the power to remove items from the agenda and can exercise that power. Hill said that is a rare occurrence, but the power is there nonetheless.
The chair also has the responsibility of managing the meeting. They determine when board members can speak and for how long.
Who else wants to be chair?
That's unclear. There are only six possibilities, because three new members were elected in August and are unlikely to immediately put themselves up for a leadership position.
But, with three Democrats and three Republicans returning, it could be an interesting battle.
"Ideally it would be bipartisan but I don't think we're living in an ideal world right now," she told Knox News, noting she wanted to see what the Knox County Commission decides Sept. 1 since the leaders will have to work together.
Republican Lauren Morgan said, for her, it's less about a specific person and more how they approach the job.
"I want a chair who understands that the role is to lead the entire board, not simply the members who supported them," Morgan told Knox News. "That means being fair, consistent and transparent, respecting the voices of all nine members, and making sure differing viewpoints have an opportunity to be heard."
Morgan emphasized the chair needs to focus on student outcomes rather than politics or personalities.
"We’re going to have differences of opinion, that’s part of representative government, but good leadership should create an environment where we can disagree, work through those differences professionally and still move the district forward."
Morgan did not say whether she would nominate herself or any of her colleagues for a leadership position. Republicans Stephen Triplett and Wright both have experience as vice chairs.
Hill said, at the end of the day, this person has to remember who they represent.
"We represent all of the people, all of the students in Knox County," she said. "There's not a particular group or demographic that should be prioritized over another. Each child is important."
Caitlyn Meisner is the K-12 education reporter for Knox News. Email tips and story ideas to caitlyn.meisner@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Who will chair the Knox County school board? It'll be a new face
