FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012 Science building's impact 'impossible to overstate' (Daily News Journal)

MTSU seniors Luke Suttmiller and Wayne Jaco will probably never take a class in MTSUs new science building, but they still see its value to the university and students in the fields of science. Youre going to see a lot more of science students mixing in with mass comm and business students, Suttmiller, a business administration major, said Thursday, moments before officials broke ground on the $147 million project. Its kind of divided in two. This will help bring the campus together. Pointing toward nearby buildings such as Walker Library, Jaco, also a business administration major, said the science building is definitely going to look a lot better than what was sitting there. It was kind of an eyesore. W ork is set to begin immediately on the site of the old Gore, Clement, Felder and Wood dormitories, with a spring 2015 opening date targeted for the science facilityWith Gov. Bill Haslam and House Speaker Beth Harwell visiting, MTSU President Sidney McPhee led Thursdays groundbreaking ceremony, calling the governor a supporter of this campus since the first time he stepped foot on it as a gubernatorial candidate. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120504/NEW S07/305040030/Science-building-s-impact-impossible-overstate-? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Political Pressure, Private Funds Build MTSU Science Building (WPLN-Radio Nash)
Middle Tennessee State University is finally breaking ground on its long-awaited science building. Funding for the $147 million project came through this spring after being in the pipeline for more than a decade. The long list of lawmakers who spoke at the groundbreaking agreed that the Rutherford County delegation has been relentless about getting a new science building. Murfreesboro Senator Bill Ketron has no apologies. He says he and other lawmakers attempted to block any other project that tried to jump ahead in the queue, to the point that the states other college system finally became a supporter. W e actually gained support from our University of Tennessee system, going lets get that out of the way: Somebody get that science building out of the way so we can get ours down that pipeline! MTSU Still has to find a way to pay its share of the cost, which is $18 million. Three donors were announced at the groundbreaking, but not how much theyre giving. http://wpln.org/?p=36882

Haslam Signs Synthetic Drug Bills, Community Applauds (W CBY-TV Chattanooga)

From protests, to store raids, to Nashville, the war we've been following on synthetic drugs has reached a muchanticipated milestone. All three bills that make synthetic drugs felonies have been signed by Tennessee governor Bill Haslam. Representative Jon Lundberg's bill is already in effect. Representative Tony Shipley's bill starts May 14, and Middle Tennessee representative Ryan William's bill begins July 1. W e're told each bill compliments the other, meaning if you sell or distribute synthetic drugs you can now wind up behind bars. Sweeping synthetic drugs off the street has become a passion for Danny Collier. "I have been by 20 bedsides of kids on, partially on life support. I have dealt with families trying to intervene with their children trying to get them off of it," said Collier. He organized protests and started an anti-synthetic drug Facebook page, but now that synthetic drug bills are clearly against state law Collier feels he's made a difference. http://www.wcyb.com/news/31002497/detail.html

Haslam Examining Abstinence Education Bill (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

Groups like the ACLU have been urging Governor Bill Haslam to veto a proposed law regarding how sex-ed is taught in Tennessee. The administration is reviewing the language. The bill that passed the General Assembly places new restrictions on sexual education, putting the focus on abstinence. I actually dont think its a big

departure from our current practice, but we havent made a final decision there. As hes done with several other bills, Governor Haslam could let this one go into law without his signature. But the ACLU hopes that he doesnt. A letter from the organization says young people need information on contraception and safe sex, pointing to research that shows it does a better job at preventing unplanned pregnancies than just telling kids to wait. http://wpln.org/?p=36888

Lakeshore severance packages set as center readies to close (N-S/Nelson)

The nearly 300 employees remaining at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute on Thursday morning learned details of their severance package as the state prepares for closure at the end of June. A provision of the state budget passed this week by lawmakers, the package provides for a base payment of $3,200 per employee, plus two years of college tuition assistance "to be capped at the average of the highest four-year public Tennessee college undergraduate level." To qualify, employees must stay through the facility's closure, said Tennessee Department of Mental Health spokesman Grant Lawrence. The severance language states, however, that the tuition will be paid only "for periods of actual attendance" within a set timeframe that the Tennessee commissioner of finance and administration will determine. It also says Lakeshore employees who take other state jobs within 60 days of the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, will have to reimburse to the state a portion of the benefits, pro-rated by day, by the end of the 2012 calendar year. Lawrence said as of mid-April, 299 employees remained at Lakeshore, although 16 had given notice and 41 had submitted retirement paperwork. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/04/lakeshore-severance-packages-set-as-center-to/

Lone Mountain State Forest loop trail wanders through wilderness (NewsSentinel)
Some of the best hiking trails in Tennessee are found in the Cumberland Mountains of Morgan County, home to Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area and the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Sandwiched between these two parks is Lone Mountain State Forest, a 3,572-acre tract with approximately 20 miles of trails open to horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. We started our hike at the trailhead located directly across the road from the Tennessee Division of Forestry office at the northeast entrance to Lone Mountain State Forest, approximately three miles south of Wartburg. Our route took us to Coyote Point, the forest's most prominent overlook. On our way back, we followed a newly-refurbished hiking trail that cuts through the heart of the state forest to make a 9.6-mile loop. Lone Mountain is a relatively modest 2,530 feet tall, but there are numerous steep pitches along the trail that makes this a moderate-to-strenuously difficult hike. At 1.9 miles the Coyote Point Trail reaches the Longest Mile Trail intersection, where you'll bear left to continue to Coyote Point. After a quarter mile you'll see a small pond on the left one of six ponds constructed in the forest to attract wildlife. (Hikers should note that Lone Mountain State Forest is open to hunters during statewide hunting seasons.) http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/lone-mountain-state-forest-loop-trail-wanders/

Downtown, interstate road closures set to begin Friday afternoon (City Paper)
Road closures downtown and on Interstate 24 east of downtown could cause headaches for commuters to kick off the weekend. The detours are set to begin Friday at 2:30 p.m. when Metro police expect to close Broadway between Fourth and Sixth avenues until midnight. The Nashville Predators received a permit from the city to close Broadway and make room for a festival before and after the hockey teams Game 4 against the Phoenix Coyotes in the second-round playoff series. According to police, traffic during the closure will have to turn off of Broadway by Fourth Avenue (headed westbound) or by Seventh Avenue (headed eastbound). Extra-duty police officers will be staffed at fixed posts in the downtown area Friday afternoon and evening to help drivers. Later Friday evening, construction crews working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation will close a threemile section of I-24 near downtown for the ongoing bridge rehabilitation project over Main and Woodland Streets. According to TDOT, I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown beginning Friday at 9 p.m. The interstate is expected to open no later than Monday, May 7, at 5 a.m. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/downtown-interstate-road-closures-set-begin-friday-afternoon

Haslam Congratulates Legislature for Efficient, Effective Session (TN Report)

Tuesday night the 107th General Assembly adjourned, and Im extremely proud of what weve accomplished working together. Since unveiling a comprehensive legislative agenda in early January, our administration has 2

focused on key reforms that lower taxes, continue improvement of our states education system and enable us to recruit, retain and reward the best and brightest employees. Heres a closer look at the work weve been doing over the past several months: Significant reform of the states outdated employment system; Lowering the inheritance tax and the states portion of the sales tax on food; A complete rewrite of Tennessees school accountability system to complement Tennessees waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law; http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/05/03/haslam-congratulates-legislature-for-efficient-effective-session/

TV bushwhacked? Ford says 'Ghost voting' acceptable in state Legislature (JCP)

State Rep. Dale Ford, R-Jonesborough, said W ednesday he was bushwhacked last week by Nashvilles NewsChannel 5 when a reporter suddenly appeared from behind a partition and quizzed him on why his seat mate had been casting votes for him in his absence and vice versa. Ford clocked in Rep. Dennis Roach, RRutledge, and then repeatedly voted for him. Roach cast a dozen votes that session without ever stepping foot in the chambers, and when he showed up late Ford cleared his desk and left for the night, according to the news report. She just jumped out from behind a corner and stuck a microphone in my face, Ford said Wednesday about the reporter. It pissed me off. I thought it was very unprofessional. Ford said he understood why some people might think the voting procedures could be construed as unethical. But he also said there are times more times than people know when the House rules regarding attendance and voting procedures are suspended, making these actions both legal and ethical. If a guy is not going to be there, I wont clock them in or vote for them, he said. Thats stealing. When were under the rules, I absolutely follow them to the letter. http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=100080#ixzz1ttht6kYz

Nashville mayor eases tax hike plan in suburban areas (Tennessean/Cass)

Mayor Karl Dean will reduce his proposed property tax increase for residents in Nashvilles General Services District to avert a potential lawsuit, one of the mayors top aides said Thursday. While the recommended tax increase will remain 53 cents per $100 of assessed value for people living in the more densely populated Urban Services District, the administration decided to drop it by a nickel, to 48 cents, in the General Services District rather than risk being sued. The property tax rate in that district made up of the more suburban areas that dont receive some government services, such as garbage pickup came down 48 cents after the last countywide reappraisal in 2009. Its an easy fix, Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. Its not worth getting into something that might lead to litigation. Vote might be required A Metro Charter amendment approved by voters in 2006 requires a referendum on any proposed increase to the property tax rate beyond the level where it stood before the last countywide reappraisal. The rates before the 2009 reappraisal were $4.04 per $100 of assessed value in the General Services District and $4.69 in the Urban Services District, whose residents essentially pay a premium for increased services on top of the General Services rate. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/NEWS0202/305040068/Nashville-mayor-eases-tax-hike-plansuburban-areas?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Dean reduces proposed tax hike in General Services after legal ?s (CP/Garrison)
To avoid the possibility of triggering a public referendum and litigation, Mayor Karl Deans administration has lowered its proposed property-tax rate increase for Davidson Countys General Services District by five cents from 53 cents to a new 48-cent tax hike. There was the potential someone could have challenged it, Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said Thursday. The budgets too important to take any risk for potential litigation. The mayors original 53-cent tax rate increase for residents of the Urban Services District will remain unchanged. Rates are applied to every $100 of assessed property to calculate property tax obligations. On Tuesday, Dean proposed what amounted to an across-the-board 53-cent hike to Metros two property tax rates. The bump would increase the rate paid by residents of the USD the inner core of the city that receives extra services from $4.13 to $4.66. Residents who live in Davidson Countys General Services District, however, the suburban periphery of the county and recipient of fewer services, pay a lower property tax rate of $3.56. Increasing the GSD rate by 53 cents would bring the total GSD rate to $4.09. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/dean-reduces-proposed-tax-hike-general-services-district-afterlegal-questions

Tennessee cities among nation's worst for asthma (Tennessean/Wilemon)

Memphis has been named the nations asthma capital, according to the new list issued this week by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It is one of three Tennessee cities to make the top 10 list. Knoxville ranked 3

third, and Chattanooga ranked fifth. The foundation creates the rankings by assessing the 100 largest cities on air pollution, ozone days, pollen counts, medication utilization, poverty rates and public smoking laws. Last year, Knoxville occupied the second spot on the list, Memphis third, Chattanooga fourth and Nashville 10th. Nashville moved out of the top 10 list this year. With an unusually warm winter, some Nashville-area doctors say they are seeing increased allergy-related problems this year. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/NEWS07/305030066/Tennessee-cities-among-nation-s-worstasthma?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Opponents to immigration policy share testimonies in Knoxville (NS/Coleman)

Juana Villegas said she was three days' pregnant when law enforcement in Middle Tennessee took her into custody to be deported. She was shackled until minutes before she gave birth in a hospital. Villegas was one of about eight women who took the stage Thursday night during a rally at a North Knoxville union hall to protest Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g), a federal policy that community groups fear will be adopted by the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The policy authorizes local law enforcement to enforce federal illegal immigration law. While proponents say the measure enables local law enforcement to get violent illegal immigrants off the street, those gathered Thursday said the measure creates an atmosphere where racial profiling is rampant, individuals arrested on misdemeanors are deported and civil-rights abuses occur. The rally was organized by community organizations such as Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Allies of Knoxville's Immigrant Neighbors and Knoxville United. In the past five weeks, members of the groups have tried unsuccessfully to speak with Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones and appeal to him to not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enact the 287(g) policy in Knox County. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/04/opponents-to-immigration-policy-share-in/

Cohen Says Student Loan Rate Deal Likely (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Memphis Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen says a deal is likely on keeping interest rates on federal student loans at around 3 percent. If Congress takes no action, those rates could double. Democrats and Republicans agree that raising student loan interest rates is a bad thing. The disagreement is how to pay for an extension of those low rates. Republicans want to trim funding to the Presidents health care overhaul. Democrats have proposed ending subsides to oil and gas companies. Cohen says Congress is likely to reach a deal, even if its only for a year. W hile hed support a short-term fix, Cohen says the interest rate should stay where it is. I dont think theres any reason there should be an increase. I think it should stay at 3.4 percent. Interest rates in general, on all type of instruments, are at the lowest point ever. In 2007, when Democrats controlled the House, Cohen voted for the rate decrease which was set to expire in July of this year. http://wpln.org/?p=36878

Chuck Fleischmann stresses roots in re-election bid (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

Aides for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann appear to be embracing a re-election strategy that sells the congressman as a self-made man and dismisses his opponents as anything but. In less than three months, Fleischmann will face two Republican challengers with deep pockets and high-octane surnames -- Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp -- in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District Republican primary. During a districtwide campaign kickoff tour that drew more than 50 people at some stops, Fleischmann and several surrogates this week told an up-by-the-bootstraps tale, seeking to distinguish the incumbent from what they consider to be nothing more than family scions. A laminated red-white-and-blue brochure sums up the Fleischmann effort. "From a young boy overcoming the loss of my mother, to living on my own at 16, to mopping the floor of a McDonald's, to working in a library, to starting a business with my wife and finally becoming a member of Congress," the brochure reads, "I have lived the American dream." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/04/b6-fleischmann-stresses-roots-in-re-election-bid/?local

Suit claims TVA tree cuttings violate environmental law (News-Sentinel/Marcum)

West Knoxville residents suing TVA over its tree-cutting policy say that TVA is violating environmental law by its widespread clearing of trees in power line easements without doing an environmental assessment. An attorney for Westminster Place residents Donna Sherwood and Jerone Pinn, filed an amended complaint against TVA in U.S. District Court on Wednesday. The residents are suing over TVA's plans to remove trees in a power line easement running through their neighborhood. TVA spokesman Travis Brickey said Thursday that TVA would not comment on pending litigation. The initial lawsuit claims that TVA is going beyond what the power line 4

easement agreement allows. Plaintiffs now say that TVA failed to do an environmental-impact statement before proceeding with a more aggressive tree trimming policy. Don K. Vowell, attorney for the plaintiffs, said TVA's plan to clear its entire transmission line system in seven states of trees capable of reaching 15 feet in height or more constitutes a major environmental impact that would trigger such a study. "They are clearing an area that is 16,000 miles long and 100 to 200 feet wide. That is an area that is half the size of the Great Smoky Mountains and will take millions of trees," Vowell said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/lawsuit-claims-tvatree-cuttings-violate-law/

Methodist to fund Olive Branch facility with $100M bond issue (M. Biz Journal)
Taking advantage of historically low interest rates, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare will supplement the financing of its $137 million Olive Branch hospital with a $100 million bond issue. Underwritten in part by Raymond James Morgan Keegan, the issue has received a stable outlook from ratings agencies Standard & Poors and Moodys, which assigned ratings of A+ and A2, respectively, according to Jim Birdwell, managing director and co-head of health care finance at Morgan Keegan. Through a spokesperson, Methodist CFO Chris McLean said exceptionally low interest rates moved the organization to take advantage of the bonds, which have been in huge demand, according to Birdwell. Just in the last month, weve seen a very large increase in the number of hospital bond issues sold throughout the country, Birdwell said. So theyre taking advantage of historically low rates and increased investor appetite for tax-exempt bonds. Birdwell indicated there was strong demand across the board for the bonds, which attracted individual investors as well as institutional investors both large and small. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/05/03/methodist-to-fund-olive-branch.html

Erlanger whistle-blower lawsuit will not bring prosecution (TFP/Martin)

State and federal prosecutors have declined to pursue a whistle-blower lawsuit that says Erlanger Health System made false Medicare claims, a second such decision within the last month. The lawsuit was filed in March 2011 by Robert Whipple, who worked as an auditing consultant for Affiliated Computer Services Inc., at the hospital in 2006. The suit alleges that Erlanger used fraudulent billing practices in categorizing patients and for certain procedures. The lawsuit was sealed while state and federal attorneys investigated, but both parties declined to intervene in the case, filing paperwork to that effect Monday. "Erlanger is confident in our billing procedures and compliance programs," said Erlanger interim CEO Charlesetta Woodard-Thompson in an emailed statement Thursday. "Erlanger takes all legal matters and allegations of this sort very seriously, and has worked very closely with government officials throughout their investigation." Another whiste-blower case, filed by Lisa K. Stratienko in 2010, was dropped in April when prosecutors declined to pursue the case. In his 46-page lawsuit, Whipple asserted several employees at the hospital did not take action when he pointed out the improper billing practices. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/04/b6-whistle-blower-lawsuit-will-not-bring/?local

MED Forms Committee to Examine Minority-Owned Biz Dealings (M. Daily News)
The board governing The Regional Medical Center at Memphis has formed an ad hoc committee to review and make recommendations regarding the amount of business the hospital conducts with minority-owned companies. The committee comprised of attorney Pamela Brown, Plough Foundation executive director Scott McCormick and the Rev. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church-Broad in Binghampton was created after the subject of minority business dominated the discussion Wednesday, May 2. The board meeting at the Adams Pavilion, 842 Jefferson Ave., was the second of the year. W hen the current administration led by president and CEO Dr. Reginald Coopwood first took over leadership at The MED just more than two years ago, the hospitals supplier diversity spending was a mere 1.3 percent. The initial focus at that time was creating financial stability for the organization after some turbulent years. But supplier diversity spending did increase to 2.5 percent in fiscal year 2011, and currently stands at 3.6 percent, a 51 percent year-over-year increase. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/4/med-forms-committee-to-examine-minority-owned-bizdealings/

Medical Trade Center announces new tenants (Nashville Business Journal)

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The Dallas-based developer of Nashvilles proposed $250 million Nashville Medical Trade Center announced today it has launched efforts aimed at securing financing for the project, thanks in part to commitments from six new tenants. Market Center Management Co. CEO Bill Winsor said those leases range in size from 2,500 to 9,000 square feet and push the project closer to a goal of having 60 percent of space leased before construction can begin at the site of the Nashville Convention Center, which is set to be replaced by the Music City Center convention hall opening next year. The tenants announced today include Nashville-based Informatics Corporation of America and RemindAmerica Inc., along with the SSI Group in Mobile, Ala., New York-based Humanscale, ErgoCentric in Canada and Memphis-based V. Alexander & Co. With the new commitments, Winsor said the company has now leased 45 percent of the proposed center's 800,000 square feet of available space. Market Center has announced 12 tenants so far that account for about 70,000 to 100,000 square feet. Winsor said other tenants have asked to remain anonymous for competitive reasons. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/05/04/medical-trade-center-announces-new.html

Nashville medical mart developer says it has 6 new leases (Tennessean/Ward)

A Dallas company working to build nearly 1 million square feet of medical trade mart space will announce leases with six more companies today, hoping to send a message that its bid to transform the downtown Nashville Convention Center into a major health mart remains on track. Dallas-based Market Center Management Co. says it has engaged a Brentwood-based accounting firm Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain to help evaluate financing strategies for the Nashville Medical Trade Center project. Building the health mart would involve adding eight floors atop the soon-to-be-replaced convention hall along Lower Broadway as the giant Music City Center takes shapes as a replacement south of Broadway. Our focus predominantly has been to secure enough companies and get to a point where we feel comfortable enough to engage someone to secure financing options, and were at that point, said Market Center CEO Bill Winsor. He said the group has commitments in hand for 45 percent of the mart space and probably would seek somewhere in the ballpark of $180 million in debt. Weve not wavered on this. Weve stayed the course. W ere committed to it and were going to continue, Winsor said. The developers goal has been to prelease at least 65 percent of the overall space before any dirt could be moved. The six signings being announced today include local and national companies mostly in medical and information technology. Each has plans to take up between 2,000 square feet and 12,000 square feet of space in the mart, Winsor said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/BUSINESS05/305040076/Nashville-medical-mart-developer-sayshas-6-new-leases

Survey: UTC, downtown Chattanooga lack connections (Times Free-Press/Pare)

UTC is about a five-minute walk from downtown's core, but many students feel unsafe and ignored in the central city, a new survey shows. About 45 percent of the students who responded to the survey said they felt unsafe walking alone downtown at night, while 67 percent would prefer to drive. Also, while students like Chattanooga, they believe downtown caters to tourists and families and not to them, according to the survey that drew more than 600 responses. Most students go downtown just two or fewer times a week, according to survey work that stemmed from discussions between the UTC College of Business Dean Robert Dooley and River City Co. chief Kim White. "They wanted more things that focus on student groups," said Ruben Gamboa, one of 10 UTC students who took part in putting together the study and who helped present results to the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Council on Thursday. More than 11,000 students attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and more than 3,000 now live on campus, but they're not seen as a serious customer base, he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/04/c1-survey-utc-downtown-lack-connections/?businesstnvalley

Layoffs for Yale Lock workers in East Tenn. expected to begin in August (NS)
A 10-year tax break wasn't enough to keep 230 manufacturing jobs in Loudon County. In a news release, the mayors of Loudon County and Lenoir City said the first round of layoffs at the Yale Commercial Lock and Hardware facility in Lenoir City are expected to take place in August, with a closure of the plant anticipated in the first quarter of next year. Yale is consolidating the operations with an existing facility in Berlin, Conn. The company announced its intentions in March, and local officials quickly approved 10-year, 100 percent property tax exemption in a bid to prevent the closure. According to the release, Deputy Gov. Claude Ramsey spoke to officials with Yale's parent company, but the state couldn't identify sufficient assistance to offset the expected savings associated with the move to Connecticut. "W hile we have traditionally benefited from corporate 6

relocations, this is the first instance of a company leaving Loudon County for an area in the Northeast that is generally viewed as a higher cost area", Loudon County Economic Development Agency President Patrick Phillips said in the release. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/layoffs-for-yale-lock-workers-in-east-tenn-to-in/

Memphis-Shelby County schools merger panel likes plan to outsource (CA/Kelley)

Custodial, transportation proposals move forward Unofficial straw votes Thursday by the commission planning the transition to a unified school district registered a clear preference for privatizing custodial and transportation services when the Memphis and Shelby County school districts merge next year. But there was an understanding in the room that the idea might not fly quite as effortlessly when the recommendations reach the unified school board. If the new district adopts Shelby County Schools' existing model of contracted custodial services, however, it could save as much as $25 million annually, reported Richard Holden, chairman of the Transition Planning Commission's Logistics Committee. Going with Memphis City Schools' existing model of contracted busing services, he said, would save up to $10 million a year and produce a one-time infusion of $6 million in cash from the sale of the SCS fleet. Both recommendations moved up the ladder Thursday toward eventual adoption with little dissent on the 21-member commission. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/04/panel-likes-plan-to-outsource/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

2 charter schools set to open in Shelby Co., 12 others wait for 2014 (CA/Roberts)
Of the 14 charter schools in limbo since the Shelby County unified school board rejected their applications in November, two intend to open this summer. Memphis Grizzlies Prep and Aurora Collegiate Academy, both backed by philanthropists, will open in July despite nearly six months of indecision, delay and red tape. The rest, including nine schools proposed by former mayor Willie Herenton, plan to open a year later. "W hen formal approval is granted, we will move forward with nine schools," Herenton said Thursday after an appeals hearing conducted by the state Board of Education. It was the second shortest hearing in department history, noted executive director Gary Nixon, largely because there was no legal reason why the schools should not open. The school board opposed two other charters at hearings later in the afternoon, but no one spoke against the 14 other schools, which have passed through all the state and local hoops but still do not have definitive approval. While the state board will take public comment for another week, "it's probably pretty clear what the answer will be," Nixon said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/04/2-charter-schools-set-to-open/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Mayor no longer set to testify in schools rezoning trial (City Paper/Greenberg)

Mayor Karl Dean, it seems, will not have to testify in a federal court case involving Metro Nashville Public Schools controversial 2008 rezoning plan. Dean was previously expected to take the stand Thursday, but the plaintiffs attorney Larry Woods apparently obtained the testimony he needed from Alan Coverstone, executive director of the MNPS Office of Innovation. The mayor was released from a subpoena, which called him to testify, earlier Thursday. W oods said he planned on asking Dean about the districts increased emphasis on charter schools, but the testimony of Coverstone, who is responsible for overseeing the school systems charter schools, covered the topic Wednesday. Opening arguments in Spurlock, et. al. vs. Fox, et. al. began Tuesday. The case is a class action suit that claims MNPSs 2008 rezoning created more racially isolated and less diverse schools in areas zoned for Pearl-Cohn and Hillwood high schools. Ed Kindall, longtime school board member and staunch opponent of the rezoning plan, testified Thursday. He expressed concerns in 2008, when the board considered rezoning, that Nashville was moving toward having two separate school systems: one for whites and one for minorities. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/mayor-no-longer-set-testify-schools-rezoning-trial

Nashville schools' lawyer grills parent in rezoning trial (Tennessean/Hubbard)

Lawyer says better school was option The mother suing Metro schools over a 2009 rezoning plan drew heavy fire from the school systems attorneys Thursday during the third day of trial in the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee. Frances Spurlock filed Spurlock v. Fox in an attempt to get school zones redrawn with equal resources for African-American students in her North Nashville neighborhood. The rezoning plan would have sent her daughter from higher-performing Bellevue Middle School in the largely white Hillwood cluster to lowerperforming John Early Middle School in the predominantly black Pearl-Cohn zone. Her daughter is used to being in a diverse school and has more white friends, she said on the stand Thursday. The family tried John Early the 7

first two weeks of school and claim it didnt provide each student with books. Attorneys for the school district grilled Spurlock over why she did not choose predominantly white H.G. Hill Middle School, also in the Hillwood cluster and an option for her daughter under the rezoning plan. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/NEWS04/305040073/Nashville-schools-lawyer-grills-parentrezoning-trial?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Bristol, Tenn., school officials announce reorganization plan, job cuts (H-C)
A city school system reorganization that eliminates three jobs, leaves teaching positions unfilled and restructures a number of others was unveiled Thursday by Director of Schools Gary Lilly. Lilly added that the district may also reassign, cut or adjust work responsibilities for some of its estimated 300 teachers. The moves are aimed at cutting costs and addressing an estimated $775,000 budget shortfall. Its hard when youre making decisions that affect livelihoods, Lilly said. [But] we are doing things to ensure we can best focus on the educational and academic needs of our students. Lilly said the changes are necessary now because the district will face added federal and state academic requirements during the 2012/13 school year, which means devoting more of its available money to those areas. Even when the economy has been tanking in recent years, weve always had funding available to come to the rescue and prevent [district cuts], Lilly said, noting programs like the 2009 federal stimulus package. Thats no longer the case, and we have to make adjustments for that. Under the plan, the positions of Communication and Transportation Coordinator Todd Bailey, Health Educator Jane Hargis and grant writer Dawn W erner will be eliminated. Those job functions will be shifted to others. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/may/03/5/bristol-tenn-school-officials-announce-reorganizat-ar-1888911/

Kingsport BOE postpones tuition decision on Lynn Garden students (Times News)
Kingsport school leaders Thursday night delayed a decision until at least mid-month on whether to allow selected Sullivan County students in the Lynn Garden area to start or continue attending two city elementary schools tuition free. At issue is a group of 59 kindergarten through fifth-grade county students living in a targeted annexation area of Lynn Garden and attending Kennedy and Roosevelt elementary schools, plus at least one additional rising kindergarten student to attend Kennedy in August. Since a 1986 agreement between the city and county school systems was rescinded by both sides last year, the Kingsport Board of Education decided to address the issue on an annual basis, and Thursday night was the annual review time. BOE President Randy Montgomery suggested, and the board agreed, to delay a decision until the board could get a good idea of when the city might annex the students in question. He said the BOE could vote on the matter during a called meeting after the May 17 work session or at the June 7 regular meeting. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9046164/kingsport-boe-postpones-tuition-decision-on-lynn-garden-students

OPINION
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Guest columnist: Parental involvement key to student achievement (Tennessean)

Recent discussions on proposed state legislation mandating parental involvement in schools have focused on the issues surrounding penalizing children, and parents of students, who find it challenging to complete homework. But what about suggestions for solutions to bigger issues, including how to help parents support their children to increase ACT scores and overall academic performance? W ith the 2011-2012 academic year about to end, it is a natural time to look forward. We serve on the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Education Report Card Committee where, last fall, the committee took an in-depth look at the 2010-2011 school year for Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). The committee then created a report card, with suggestions on how MNPS could move forward. As stated in the report card, the committee felt that it made sense to examine how MNPS encourages parental involvement because of its impact on overall academic performance. Many of the programs and processes Metro schools have in place are encouraging. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/OPINION03/305040048/Parental-involvement-key-studentachievement?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Editorial: Legislature couldn't leave town soon enough (Daily News Journal)
Tennesseans can take a deep breath and relax. The General Assembly is adjourned for the year. The session saw some positive signs from lawmakers, including a slight reduction in the grocery sales tax and moves to scale back gift and inheritance taxes. The Legislature also allotted $126 million for MTSUs science building. But this session made Tennessee the butt of national talk shows and could be known better for what legislators couldnt get done than what they did. For instance, legislation that would have cut the HOPE scholarship by 50 percent for some students failed to gain approval, and the guns-in-cars bill that could have trumped business owners property rights never saw the House floor, either. In addition, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said he plans to veto legislation affecting Vanderbilt Universitys all-comers nondiscrimination policy for religious organizations. The governor said this week the state shouldnt meddle in private organizations affairs, and we agree. Comedians took pot shots at Tennessee throughout the session about bills dealing with the teaching of evolution and gateway sexual activity, in addition to the Ten Commandments and guns-in-cars. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120504/OPINION/305040013/EDITORIAL-Legislature-couldn-t-leave-town-soonenough

Editorial: Legislature ends 107th session on quiet note (Jackson Sun)

The 107th Tennessee General Assembly officially ended on Tuesday. It was a generally productive session that closed several weeks early, thanks in part to a 20 percent reduction in the number of bills filed. Gov. Bill Haslams $31 billion budget passed with the usual last-minute haggling. Haslams anti-crime initiatives passed along with several other key administration proposals. It proved to be mostly a good year for the governor, lawmakers and Tennesseans. Here is a sampling of bills that passed, and deserved to be passed: Amazon sales tax: Requires Amazon.com to begin collecting Tennessee sales taxes in 2014. HB2370. Amazon already has begun notifying Tennessee shoppers of their 2011 Amazon purchases on which they potentially owe sales tax. It will be up to individuals to file the required form with the state and to pay the tax. Amazon is not sharing that information with the state. Charter school transparency: This bill requires charter schools to operate under state open meetings laws. HB3539. Civil service reform: Revises state civil service laws to make it easier to hire and fire state employees. SB2246. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120504/OPINION/305040001/Our-View-Legislature-ends-107th-sessionquiet-note

Guest columnist: Commend legislators who stood up to gun lobby (Tennessean)

As chairman of the board of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, I have been closely involved with the collective effort by a broad coalition of business, education, transportation, law enforcement and hospital interests opposing several pieces of legislation introduced in the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives during this legislative session. Those bills, pushed by the National Rifle Association and Tennessee Firearms Association, would have forced employers, business owners and any private property owners to allow individuals to bring firearms onto their private property and would have created a new, protected class of employees and applicants for employment based on their gun ownership or possession of a concealedcarry permit. The business communitys opposition to this legislation was never based on an anti-gun philosophy. It was based entirely on the desire to protect the property rights of employers and others and to be able to adopt rules that could help provide a safer work environment for their employees, customers and guests. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/OPINION03/305040047/Commend-legislators-who-stood-up-gun9

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Editorial: New focus for gun advocacy (Commercial Appeal)

Averting unnecessary tragedies: There are better ways for gun rights groups to spend their energy than fending off phantom threats to the Second Amendment. Taking a breath about gun laws will be good for Tennessee's health. The state legislature adjourned this week without voting on proposals to force private businesses to allow employees to keep guns in their cars while parked on the company's property, and barring employers from ever asking employees whether they have guns in the parking lot. And the fact that Tennessee didn't loosen its already slack gun laws wasn't the end of the world. Nobody's gun was confiscated. No damage was done to the Second Amendment. That's an important point of reference. No logical analysis of America's attitudes toward guns would suggest this nation is anywhere near going door-to-door to round up the estimated 300 million firearms now owned by private individuals in this country. That's not going to happen. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/04/editorials-new-focus-for-gun-advocacy/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Passage of tax bill would be a small token of thanks for sacrifice (N-S)
In February 2011, Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Carpenter was shot and killed while on patrol in Afghanistan. A lending company subsequently forgave his student loan, but now his parents are on the hook for a $28,000 tax bill as a result. U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., is outraged. And he's sponsoring a bill that would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from taxing loans to fallen service members that have been forgiven. The Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act is one bill that all members of both parties can and should support. "It is a fitting way to fix a glaring problem in our tax code, while paying tribute to the memory of Lance Cpl. Carpenter," DesJarlais said. "His family has experienced the pain of losing their son, husband and father. Hopefully, if passed, this measure will in some way ease this burden." Three years prior to his death, Carpenter, a Columbia, Tenn., native, had taken out a $20,000 student loan to help pay for his college education. His parents co-signed for him. Carpenter attended Middle Tennessee State University and Columbia State Community College before enlisting in the Marines. A member of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 27-year-old was on patrol in southern Afghanistan when he was shot by a sniper. He died of his wounds in Germany on Feb. 19, 2011. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/04/editorial-passage-of-tax-bill-would-be-a-small/

Greg Johnson: Return on investment key to school funding fight (News-Sentinel)

As the funding fight for Knox County's schools moves toward Round 3, perhaps it is time to pause. Superintendent James McIntyre won Round 1, gaining approval of his proposed $35 million increase for the school system's general fund from the Knox County School Board and a unanimous, unqualified endorsement from the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. In Round 2, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett stopped the big bump, releasing a budget this week that does not include McIntyre's big ask. Now, the big-bucks battle goes to County Commission. But before Round 3, a question: Does increased educational funding necessarily translate into improved academic achievement? The answer is a resounding "No" according to a study released last year by the Center for American Progress. This big "No" came not from a conservative outfit like the Heritage Foundation. Rather, CAP is a left-leaning think tank, almost always friendly to more spending and bigger government. The report, "Return on Educational Investment," examined math and reading test scores for fourthand eighth-graders and high school students in most every school district in America. CAP correlated student achievement with school expenditures and adjusted expenditures to reflect socioeconomic factors. Each system was assigned a Basic Return on Investment as well as an Adjusted Return on Investment. School systems were then compared to other systems within their state. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/04/greg-johnsonreturn-on-investment-key-to-school/ ###

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