Susan Horn Talks Education with 5th District Residents

By Sally Absher

sallyabsher@knoxfocus.com

Friends and supporters of Susan Horn, candidate for KCS Board of Education, 5th District, hosted a “meet and greet” at the Copperstone Clubhouse in the Choto area of West Knox County last week.

Horn has been active in Knox County Schools since her girls Madeline and Reagan, now at Farragut High School and Farragut Middle School, were in Kindergarten. She has served in various PTA Executive Board positions at Farragut Primary and Intermediate Schools, including serving one year at each school as PTA President. She currently serves on the PTSO Board of Managers at both Farragut Middle and High Schools.

She told attendees, “We have great schools in Knox County, and in the 5th District, but we can do better.”  Schools in West Knoxville’s 5th District include Bluegrass, A.L. Lotts, West Valley, and Farragut Primary, Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools.

“As parents and teachers, we must nurture an environment that makes children excited about learning. Teachers are our most important resource, and they need to feel supported by parents, administrators, and the community at large,” she said, adding, “A healthy teaching environment is the first step toward student success.”

She said she would take a common sense approach when making decisions, for example, favoring reduced class size in the early grades to improve achievement over spending millions of dollars to purchase technology that may be obsolete in just a few years. “It is important for our students to be familiar and comfortable with technology, but it can never replace the value of the personal relationship between student and teacher.”

She also talked about the 2016 election process, which has caused confusion for some voters.

With the Presidential election, Knox County has three separate elections this year. March 1 was the Presidential Primary, and the Knox County Primary for School Board, County Commission, Law Director, and Property Assessor. Susan was the top vote getter of the three Board of Education candidates in District 5, but fell just short of the 50% + 1 vote to win the seat in the primary.

August 4 is the Knox County General election.  Voters will decide whether Horn or second place finisher, Reuben “Buddy” Pelot will represent the 5th District on the Board of Education.

The August 4 election is also the Primary election for State and Federal Representatives and Senators, and the Town of Farragut Municipal Election.  Early voting is going on now through July 30. Knox County residents can early vote Monday – Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Early voting locations in West Knoxville include Farragut Town Hall and Downtown West.

Finally, the 2016 Presidential Election and the Federal and State General Election will be held on November 8.

 

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