By ALEXIS ZOTOS
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Talk turned heated when the possibility of surveying Knox County School teachers was brought up at Monday's Knox County Commission meeting.
County commissioners voted to once again defer a resolution requesting a comprehensive survey of Knox County School teachers, but not before a lengthy discussion over the necessity of such a survey.
"Quite frankly I am fed up with being told that the commission has no right to question where two thirds of this county's budget goes," said Commissioner Mike Brown. "I think we would be totally remiss if we did not ask some questions about what's going on."
Many commissioners expressed concern over comments from Knox County School Board members about the commissioners' desire to conduct a survey.
"I don't know where that's coming from because we're trying to build good relations," said Commissioner Mike Hammond. "I don't intend to respond to any of those things. I don't intend to get involved in a war of words and volleys across Gay Street. That's not productive for anybody. What I'm interested in is better schools and I believe this teacher survey is something we need to move forward with it."
The idea for a survey was initially brought up during the discussion of the school board's budget request.
Some members of the school board see the commission's request for a survey as overstepping their boundaries.
"When outside agencies try to survey employees of other agencies it makes the community think we haven't reached out to the teachers. It gives the false impression that we haven't asked teachers what they think and that's not true," said school board member Karen Carson.
Many commissioners feel the survey needs to be conducted by an independent company and allow teachers to remain anonymous.
"It would allow teachers to express themselves without fear of retribution and we would get some real frank information about what they feel about the school system," said Commissioner Tony Norman.
In response to some questions over the legality of an anonymous survey, County Law Director Joe Jarret says it is legal as long as there are no identifying questions.
"We can't be afraid of the results, it may be uncomfortable and we might not like what we see but if it will make us a better school system then it will be all worth it," said Commissioner Hammond.
But Carson said the school board is urging teachers to speak openly.
"It makes it seem like teachers should be afraid to say things unless it is anonymous," she said.
Another concern from the school board is over surveying teachers.
"Knox County Education Association plans to conduct a survey, the state conducted a survey over the evaluations. It's the role of the school board to decide if they want to survey the teachers and I see no need for us to," said board member Lynne Fugate.
Commissioner Sam McKenzie cautioned the need to work collaboratively with everyone involved.
"Let's do it the right way and be more inclusive and collaborative and not necessarily us against them," said Commissioner McKenzie.
No one from the school board spoke at Monday's meeting, but several commissioners said there is increased tension between the school board and the commission since the budget vote.
"There's obvious tension and perceived disrespect between the commission and the school board," expressed Norman during the discussion.
"I wouldn't say tension, I would say disappointment. There's concern that there are commissioners that want to micro-manage the school the system. They already appointed authority and that's us," said Fugate.
A decision on the resolution was deferred until the commission's August meeting.
County commissioners voted to once again defer a resolution requesting a comprehensive survey of Knox County School teachers.
