NEW BLOG

I have created a new blog http://www.thomasdeakins.blogspot.com. This blog will focus on all School Board matters, news, updates and comments. I encourage you to visit my new blog.

Thank you,

Thomas A. Deakins
6th District School Board Member Elect

The Celebration Continues

THE BRIGADE CELEBRATES!

WE DID IT!

WE WON!

This is a picture of my treasurer, Mike Long giving me the "Gatorade" treatment.

FARRAGUT PRESS - LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Here is the link to my letter to the Editor concerning the decrease in funding and size of Hardin Valley High School.

http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2006/08/5280.html


The School Board meeting is tonight at 17:00. Please attend this meeting and show them that you want this school built as originally planned.

To the citizens of Farragut (District 6 School District):

I would like to address a rumor that has been circulating about our new High School in Hardin Valley. Our county leadership has raised concerns over building the school for 2,000 students. I want to remind them and everyone else that the original plans supported 2,000 students. We are now being told that the plan is to support 1,300 students and the build-out will occur over several years.

This is not a solution to over-crowding or the practice of conservative fiscal management. Our schools are bursting at the seams. The people in Farragut as well as the entire 6th District understand the overcrowding issue. The growth in Knox County has been moving west for 30 some odd years and our leaders have chosen to ignore this growth.

We cannot compete in the local or global environment with this reactive philosophy to our children’s educational needs. I also want to point out that the new High School will not be on-line until the 2008-2009 school year. We also have a current need for a new Elementary School in this area and this need has yet to be addressed.

As your recall, I AM THE CANDIDATE WITH CHILDREN IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I AM FOR PROACTIVE PLANNING AND CONSERVATIVE FISCAL MANAGEMENT. I truly feel that the leadership of our county has a major disconnect regarding our needs and I, like you, feel that a lot of talk regarding education occurs (especially during an Election year) but when the time for action occurs, the priorities and sound bites change.

I want to remind everyone that my opponent was asked to run for this position by the county leadership. Don’t you think it is time that you elect a School Board member from this area that will stand up and defend our needs? I started this campaign with the slogan “Together We Can Make A Difference” and I think it is time we did.

Please vote for Thomas A. Deakins for School Board this Thursday, August 3rd!

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Deakins
Father of 4, 2 attending Farragut (District 6) schools
www.electthomasdeakins.com

HARDIN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - CHANGES

No need to beat around the bush on this issue. The School Board is faced with a serious issue regarding Hardin Valley High School.

The Issue

• A "planned" new High School in Hardin Valley for 2100 children = $40M
• Ceremonial shovels in the ground and everyone is happy
• No action on the site for several months.
• Dirt finally moves before the May Election
• STOP! Help! Alert!
• PBA informs the School Board that $ 40M cannot build this school to hold 2100 students and the County Mayor suggests building to accommodate 1300 students. We are $6M in the hole. The County refuses to fund the difference!

The School Board's Decision

• Accept the proposal from PBA and the County Mayor for a fully funded school with athletic fields, desks, lockers, tables, etc.
• Circumvent the Mayor and go to the County Commission for the money.

My opinion - The School Board has been pushed around for several years and I think they need to stand up and take action as a team. This is a serious issue on several fronts as we have an overcrowding issue and it must be addressed. A school with 1300 children will not allow Farragut to move under 100% capacity until 2012. Karns will not move under 100% capacity until 2009-2010. There is no guarantee they will ever build this school to hold 2100 students. Yes, we all need to work in harmony but this is ridiculous! We have not built a new High School in this area for over 25 years and now we get one that will not address the real issues.

Make your voice heard and call your School Board member today and tell them what you think. Call your County Commissioner and tell them what you think and remind them that this Election is not over!

ELECTION DAY - THURSDAY, AUGUST 3

The final day is this Thursday, August 3. The polls are open from 08:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and this is your last chance to vote in my race.

The School Board race is at the bottom of the last page(screen) on the voting machine.

If you are reading this and you have voted, thank you! If you have not voted and you need more information, please contact me @ electthomsdeakins@yahoo.com

The 6th School Board District is a very large area with over 34,0000 registered voters. The poll locations are listed below as well as the link to the Election Commission.
http://www.knoxcounty.org/election/pdfs/countyprecinct.pdf

Ball Camp - 70 - Ball Camp Elementary School
Lonas - 55 - Bearden Middle School
Hardin Valley - 62&62W - Hardin Valley Elementary School
Solway - 64 - Solway Church of God
Concord North - 65N - Farragut Middle School
Farragut I & II - 66N & 66S - Farragut High School
Concord North - 65N - Farragut Middle School

EARLY VOTING ENDS TODAY @ 8PM

Early Voting Ends Today @ 8PM

Voting Locations

http://www.knoxcounty.org/election/pdfs/early_vote_centers.pdf

Farragut Town Hall

Downtown West

PLEASE VOTE!

EARLY VOTING ENDS THIS SATURDAY AT 8:00 P.M

Early Voting Countdown

2 Days Left To Vote Early - Open from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m

Get Out & Vote Today!