Innovation Academy of NE Tennessee, a school that many consider to be one of the best STEM schools in the country and is the only school to be awarded the Apple Distinguished Program Award for two years consecutively, has been voted by the Sullivan County Board of Education to be moved to Holston Middle School to be a "school within a school". Be downsized and to not continue adding a grade a year through 12th grade as was originally planned. This decision risks losing the school's grant money, technology and equipment already paid for by the grant money, the current curriculum and the majority of the current staff.
We as the undersigned parents and supporters of Innovation Academy of NE Tn. demand that Innovation Academy remain as it was originally intended and to add a grade a year through grade 12 as planned. We believe the proposal to move grades 6-8 to Holston Middle School and not to add the additional grades as planned will be detrimental to the quality and integrity of the program and will eventually result in the schools demise. We believe that the demise of the program would result in poor quality STEM programs at other schools. We believe it is possible to find additional funding from outside sources to keep IA on its intended course and that these options have not been properly explored. We want to be given the oppourtunity to prove that funding is available before the school is moved.
Please feel free to visit the school website and read about the great things happening there that would surely be compromised if the Board of Education gets their way.
www.ianetn.org
Updates
April 25, 2014
I have spent my evenings reading your messages and talking with families who are terrified that our children will lose this unique environment. The board has remained silent regarding our alternative funding proposals but we are preparing our formal presentation to force a real conversation.
April 25, 2014
Seeing this kind of momentum confirms that I am not the only one who refuses to let our school lose its unique identity. Having this many people behind us gives me the strength to keep fighting the board until they finally listen.
Reached 100 supporters
April 25, 2014
62 Comments
Our grandson has thrived through the intellectual challenges and scholarly discipline of IA. Please don't let the high quality of this program (and perhaps its very existence) be threatened by political expediency.
Hazel Zolly My grandson has attended IA for two years. He thrives in the enviroment and challenges that IA provides. It is heartbreaking to think the great strides and national reconigation this stand alone school has accomplished in just 2 years is being destroyed. No body wins.
I am a prospective IA parent. My daughter begins 6th grade in Fall 2014. I would strongly prefer to see IA continue its excellent path forward as a stand-alone school.
Moving this school will severely and adversely affect the education of my god-son. I oppose this move and request the school remain where it is currently located, with its current staff and faculty. In addition I think it is in the best interest of the students that IA be expanded to 9th grade.
It's a sad example for our students when the local school boards would rather give up on their grant commitments, rather than cooperate and fulfill their obligations. For Shame!
How unfortunate that Sullivan County Board of Education wants to potentially ruin something that is already flourishing. Hope that it can remain the same, because it seems to be a wonderful opportunity for homeschool families who may want something different than traditional schools. Hope they change their minds!
I think this school helps a lot of kids. Please keep it the same
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Innovation Academy of NE Tennessee, a school that many consider to be one of the best STEM schools in the country and is the only school to be awarded the Apple Distinguished Program Award for two years consecutively, has been voted by the Sullivan County Board of Education to be moved to Holston Middle School to be a "school within a school". Be downsized and to not continue adding a grade a year through 12th grade as was originally planned. This decision risks losing the school's grant money, technology and equipment already paid for by the grant money, the current curriculum and the majority of the current staff.
We as the undersigned parents and supporters of Innovation Academy of NE Tn. demand that Innovation Academy remain as it was originally intended and to add a grade a year through grade 12 as planned. We believe the proposal to move grades 6-8 to Holston Middle School and not to add the additional grades as planned will be detrimental to the quality and integrity of the program and will eventually result in the schools demise. We believe that the demise of the program would result in poor quality STEM programs at other schools. We believe it is possible to find additional funding from outside sources to keep IA on its intended course and that these options have not been properly explored. We want to be given the oppourtunity to prove that funding is available before the school is moved.
Please feel free to visit the school website and read about the great things happening there that would surely be compromised if the Board of Education gets their way.
www.ianetn.org
Updates
April 25, 2014
I have spent my evenings reading your messages and talking with families who are terrified that our children will lose this unique environment. The board has remained silent regarding our alternative funding proposals but we are preparing our formal presentation to force a real conversation.
April 25, 2014
Seeing this kind of momentum confirms that I am not the only one who refuses to let our school lose its unique identity. Having this many people behind us gives me the strength to keep fighting the board until they finally listen.
Reached 100 supporters
April 25, 2014
62 Comments
Messing with this school would completely ruin the intent of the program. Doing this kind of merging is nothing more than taking all of the things that make this school special and giving it to another school where all they will do is take their equipment.
Our grandson has thrived through the intellectual challenges and scholarly discipline of IA. Please don't let the high quality of this program (and perhaps its very existence) be threatened by political expediency.
Hazel Zolly My grandson has attended IA for two years. He thrives in the enviroment and challenges that IA provides. It is heartbreaking to think the great strides and national reconigation this stand alone school has accomplished in just 2 years is being destroyed. No body wins.
I am a prospective IA parent. My daughter begins 6th grade in Fall 2014. I would strongly prefer to see IA continue its excellent path forward as a stand-alone school.
Moving this school will severely and adversely affect the education of my god-son. I oppose this move and request the school remain where it is currently located, with its current staff and faculty. In addition I think it is in the best interest of the students that IA be expanded to 9th grade.
It's a sad example for our students when the local school boards would rather give up on their grant commitments, rather than cooperate and fulfill their obligations. For Shame!
How unfortunate that Sullivan County Board of Education wants to potentially ruin something that is already flourishing. Hope that it can remain the same, because it seems to be a wonderful opportunity for homeschool families who may want something different than traditional schools. Hope they change their minds!
I think this school helps a lot of kids. Please keep it the same
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Messing with this school would completely ruin the intent of the program. Doing this kind of merging is nothing more than taking all of the things that make this school special and giving it to another school where all they will do is take their equipment.