By Pete Gawda
At their meeting on Thursday evening, January 8, the Knox County Board of Education gave Superintendent Jon Rysewyk a good grade on his annual evaluation. They gave the superintendent a median score of 4.2 based on the individual evaluations of each school board member. This score is based on a scale of 1 to 5, with 4 being “Above Expectations” and 5 being “Significantly Above Expectations.”
In a memorandum to board members, Chair Kristi Kristy said this score was “a reinforcement of the tremendous steps forward made by the district.” Kristy went on to say, “Dr. Rysewyk’s steadfast commitment to our students, staff and community is commendable.” She added that the school system has sustained four years of academic growth, making academic gains across every student subgroup last year. The superintendent’s highest area of evaluation was in “Strategic and Innovative Leadership,” with an average score of 4.6 across individual evaluations. The area of addressing student health obstacles and challenges received the lowest average score of 3.4.
Turning to other business, with little discussion, the board approved a schematic design package for a new K-8 school presented by Lewis Group Architects. This schematic design is for a state-of-the-art school to serve students currently zoned for Beaumont Magnet Academy, Maynard Elementary School, West View Elementary School and a portion of Lonsdale Elementary School.
The maximum student capacity of this design package is 1,380 students and includes space dedicated to the performing arts as well as flexible spaces capable of accommodating instructional, visual arts, performance, rehearsal and storage needs.
This design was drawn up using the input from several community meetings held last year.
