$3 million proposed for Florida virtual program as KCS once again delays school start: Aug. 24
Horn: ‘I am in support of’ Florida program
To best prepare for the opening day of Knox County Schools for 2020-21 — which includes a proposal to spend an estimated $3 million on a two-semester Florida virtual learning program — the starting day once again has been pushed back.
“The first day of school, it’s been delayed by another week,” now starting with a half-day for students Monday, Aug. 24, KCS superintendent Robert Thomas told Knox County Board of Education during its Work Session Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 5.
“There’s several reasons for this change, but one of the most pressing is the extra work required to manage our scheduling,” Thomas added as part of his Superintendent’s Report to the Board. “In addition to creating scheduling for in-person/on-campus instruction at nearly 90 schools, this year we’re creating class and staffing schedules for more than 18,000 students who enrolled in our Virtual Learning Program.”
With special emphasis on hiring extra teachers to accommodate VLP, “One of our top priorities is to make sure we provide as many courses as possible for students,” he said.
However, “In order for us to honor all the virtual course requests, and to meet the requirements for graduation, we will be requesting your consideration, and approval, of a contract next week with Florida Virtual Schools to supplement our course offerings,” Thomas added, with a contract “submitted back to Florida Virtual, so we’re waiting for their acceptance.”
Florida Virtual program for fall semester “would cover about 1,300 student requests — that would be the equivalent of 55 to 65 teachers,” the superintendent said. “… Those who we can’t provide for are the ones who’ll be enrolled in the Florida Virtual (Learning) program.”
These students “would still be enrolled at their local school,” Thomas added.
However, the Board must approve FVL. While no action was taken at this meeting, the Board is scheduled to either accept or reject Florida Virtual Schools program during its Wednesday, Aug. 12, meeting.
Why not hire teachers? “These are positions we had no applicants for,” Thomas said.
“Ideally we would have teachers from Knox County to teach our virtual students — and in most cases we will. However, we simply do not have enough teachers to support the demand,” Board chair Susan Horn, 5th District representative (including Farragut), said Thursday morning, Aug. 6.
The Florida program “is a way the District can fulfill the needs of the virtual students, and so for that reason I am in support of it,” she added.
More details
This out-of-state virtual program “has been approved by the Tennessee Board of Education, and has successfully partnered with many other school districts in Tennessee in recent years including Williamson County, Metro Nashville, Shelby County and Lenoir City,” Thomas said. “… It offers 190 courses, including (Advanced Placement) and Honors courses, and offers an engaging and interactive curriculum. It’s available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Moreover, “Courses are taught by certified teachers who can provide one-on-one instruction,” he added. “Students can reach their teachers directly by phone, text or e-mail.
“… Teachers also reach out to students prior to the start of the course to meet them personally, and students have an online orientation prior to the start of the course.”
Adding this program would allow KCS to follow through “when we made a promise to folks” of providing quality virtual learning, Thomas said.
