There will be three new faces and a 5-4 Democratic majority on the Knox County school board next month after Brandy Jenkins flipped a reliably Republican South Knox County seat in the Aug. 6 election.
A standing ovation broke out for Jenkins at the Democratic watch party as she clinched the win in District 9, defeating Republican Bill Sofield, who created the opening for Jenkins when he knocked out longtime Republican Kristi Kristy in the May primary. Kristy was the school board chair and had served on the school board since 2018.
“I cannot wait to sit alongside Breyauna Holloway, Anne Templeton, Patricia Fontenot-Ridley in District 3 and Kat Bike. I will serve you proud. I can’t wait to serve our community,” Jenkins told the exuberant crowd.
“We did it guys. We flipped the school board. We can actually advocate for things that are going to matter."
Democrat Breyauna Holloway, a Knox County Schools graduate, clinched the District 1 seat to represent downtown and the neighborhoods directly to the east and west.
Republican Lee Ann Eaves will succeed Knox County mayor-elect Betsy Henderson in the Hardin Valley area of the county.
Incumbents Katherine Bike and Steve Triplett bested challengers to their seats, which they've both held since 2022.
Here's a look at the races.
Knox County Board of Education District 1
District 1 encompasses downtown Knoxville and includes neighborhoods to the immediate east and west, including East Knoxville, Fort Sanders, Lonsdale and Mechanicsville. Schools in the district include Austin-East Magnet High School, L&N STEM Academy, Maynard Elementary, Vine Middle Magnet and West View Elementary School.
Who won? Democrat Breyauna Holloway, 41, clinched the District 1 seat. Holloway bested Republican challenger Charles Frazier after knocking out incumbent Democratic board member the Rev. John Butler, who served one term.
"Politics is not made for somebody like me. I'm a poor Black woman with a whole lot of kids. I have a whole lot of jobs and a whole lot of kids," Holloway told a crowd of Democratic Party supporters on Election Night. "If it was not for my kids, I would not be in the schools the way that I am."
Knox County Board of Education District 4
District 4 represents west Knoxville, including Bearden, Bluegrass, Rocky Hill and West Hills neighborhoods. Schools in the district include A.L. Lotts Elementary, Bearden Elementary, Sequoyah Elementary and West High.
Who won? Democrat Katherine Bike, 43, was elected to her second term. She skated through to the general election after not facing a primary challenger. Bike beat her Republican opponent Ashley Sartelle, who received 46% of the vote to Bike's 54%. This is a larger winning margin for Bike than her first election, when she won with 51% of the vote.
"I truly feel like a seasoned board member now, and I understand the politics of it. I also understand policy and legislation at a deeper level. I'm excited to take that experience for the next four years," Bike told Knox News on Election Night.
Knox County Board of Education District 6
District 6 represents the northwest part of the county and shares borders with Anderson, Loudon and Roane counties. Schools in the district include Amherst Elementary, Hardin Valley Academy, Karns High, Mill Creek Elementary and Northwest Middle.
Who won? Republican Lee Ann Eaves, 66, won the District 6 seat left vacant by newly elected county mayor Betsy Henderson. Eaves beat Democratic challenger Cadence Collins.
“I was honored to be asked to run and I’m looking forward to giving my expertise as a school teacher,” Eaves told supporters Election Night. “I couldn’t be here without my team, and I do appreciate them door-knocking with me.”
Knox County Board of Education District 7
District 7 represents the north central part of the county and includes the Halls, Heiskell and Powell communities. Schools in the district include Adrian Burnett Elementary, Brickey-McCloud Elementary, Halls Middle, Halls High, Powell Middle and Powell High.
Who won? Steve Triplett, 47, was elected to his second term to represent District 7. The Republican did not face any primary challengers, and he beat Democratic opponent Amy Fenner by more than 2,000 votes.
“The voters, I’m just grateful they’ve given me the opportunity and I’m honored to serve another four years on the school board,” Triplett told Knox News on Election Night.
Knox County Board of Education District 9
District 9 runs along the south side of the Tennessee River to the borders with Blount and Sevier counties. Schools in the district include Bonny Kate Elementary, South Knoxville Elementary and South-Doyle Middle and High.
Who won? Brandy Jenkins, 39, flipped a long-held Republican seat to represent South Knox County on the school board. Her win clinched a 5-4 Democratic majority for the school board.
"I want to focus on what our schools need, and I know that I will do that," Jenkins told Knox News. "I'm not going to focus on politics. I want to focus on our public schools."
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: Democrats flip school board control in Knox County
