Tennessee Daily News Clips, Sept. 5, 2013

7/30/2019 Tennessee Daily News Clips, Sept. 5, 2013

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THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER5, 2013Editorial: 'Drive to 55' challengeis way to meet job demands(JacksonSun)On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Haslam ramped up efforts to promote his Drive to 55 higher education initiative. Hegathered members of the General Assembly, higher education officials and business leaders in Nashville to talkabout workforce development and the states and Tennesseans economic futures. This is a long-term challengeand an opportunity not to be missed, and one in which everyone has a stake. The goal of Drive to 55 is to have55 percent of Tennesseans with a two-year higher education degree or certification or a four-year degree by 2025.Currently, only about 32 percent of Tennesseans achieve that goal. But the Drive to 55 is about more thangenerating college degrees, it is about building the states workforce to meet business, manufacturing and serviceindustry employment demands of the 21st century. Studies confirm that many jobs remain unfilled becauseemployers cant find the skilled workers they need. This follows on the heels of Great Recession double-digitunemployment that still has not recovered. The problem is that many of yesterdays workers dont have todays andtomorrows technical knowledge and skills. The only route to building the states workforce is through highereducation, post-secondary technical training and rigorous apprenticeship programs.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/OPINION/309050001/Our-View-Drive-55-challenge-way-meet-job-demands (SUBSCRIPTION)

Gov. stepsup effort to increasenumberwith degreesor tech training(CA/Locker)Gov. Bill Haslam moved Wednesday to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or technicaltraining, saying his first job is to change the culture of expectations for higher education. The governor assembledabout 500 business leaders, higher education administrators, legislators and others for a status report on his Driveto 55 initiative and briefings from a pair of national experts on how to better align post-high school education withthe states workforce needs. Drive to 55 means increasing the number of Tennesseans with either formaltechnical training certificates like welding or auto mechanics or two-year associates degrees or higher from

the current 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025. Thats the percentage of jobs projected to require a degree orcertification by that year. Haslam said the states current path is toward only about 39 percent of residentsprojected to have a certificate or degree beyond high school by 2025. Reaching 55 percent will require educating494,000 more people than are currently projected. The drive to 55 is a must because the economy is undergoinga fundamental shift. The high school economy of our parents is gone, said Jeff Strohl, research director atGeorgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/governor-steps-up-effort-to-increase-number-of/(SUB)

Gov. Haslamencouragesmore Tennesseansto choosehighereducation(TN/Sisk)Gov. Bill Haslam sought to build support for his push to get more Tennesseans to continue their education pasthigh school with an event Wednesday at Music City Center. The Tennessee Republican told about 300 business,political and education leaders that the state needs to lift the portion of residents with a college degree or certificate

to 55 percent by 2025 to stay competitive economically. That will mean adding about 494,000 college or technicalschool graduates over the next 13 years. In an event that was one part status update and one part sales pitch,Haslam attempted to lay out the rationale for his higher education goals, an initiative he calls the Drive to 55. Thegovernor announced the creation of a new website Wednesday but no new policies. Instead, he used the 90-minute presentation to build awareness for the programs hes launched since he first mentioned Drive to 55 in hisState of the State address eight months ago. The stakes have never been higher, Haslam told the crowd.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-education(SUBSCRIPTION)
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/OPINION/309050001/Our-View-Drive-55-challenge-way-meet-job-demandshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/OPINION/309050001/Our-View-Drive-55-challenge-way-meet-job-demandshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/governor-steps-up-effort-to-increase-number-of/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-educationhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-educationhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-educationhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/OPINION/309050001/Our-View-Drive-55-challenge-way-meet-job-demandshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/OPINION/309050001/Our-View-Drive-55-challenge-way-meet-job-demandshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/governor-steps-up-effort-to-increase-number-of/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-educationhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS04/309050025/Gov-Haslam-encourages-more-Tennesseans-choose-higher-education


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GovernorHaslamoutlinescollegeeducationinitiative (MemphisBiz Journal)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam outlined initiatives included in his Drive to 55 initiative, which is designed to increasethe number of Tennesseans with two-year degrees or higher to 55 percent by 2025. According to state statistics,an estimated 32 percent of adults in Tennessee have some sort of college degree. The program was announcedearlier this summer. Among the progress Haslam highlighted to members of the General Assembly and universityand college officials in Nashville, was the launch of WGU Tennessee, an online university created through apartnership between the state, Western Governors University and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation this

summer; a $47 million endowment to provide $2 million in scholarships for students who need financial aid; and$16.5 million earmarked in the state budget for workforce development programs at community colleges. Thefunding is expected to be distributed in the next few weeks.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/09/04/governor-haslam-outlines-college.html

Haslamshifts Drive to 55 Initiativeinto High Gear (Clarksville Online)Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today convened key stakeholders including members of the General Assemblyand leaders from Tennessees four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, colleges of appliedtechnology, chambers of commerce, the business community, and the state board of education to discuss thechallenges Tennessee faces in building a strong workforce for today and in the future. We want Tennesseansworking in Tennessee jobs. We want Tennesseans to have an opportunity to get a good job and for those in theworkplace to be able to advance and get an even better job, Haslam said. Currently in Tennessee, only 32

percent of us have a certificate or degree beyond high school, and studies show that by the year 2025 that numberneeds to be at least 55 percent for us to keep up with job demand. We have a lot of work ahead of us.http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2013/09/05/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-shifts-drive-55-initiative-high-gear/

TennesseegovernorformallylaunchesDrive to 55 program(Times-News)Drive to 55 at first blush might sound like a highway speed-limit program left over from the 1970s. But it is actuallyTennessee Gov. Bill Haslams 21st century drive to speed up attainment of degrees and certificates byTennesseans, something he said is crucial to the economic future of Tennessee, local governments and theirresidents. Haslam mentioned the program in his State of the State address in January but formally launched itWednesday in Nashville and gave some updates on activities related to it so far. During an editorial board meetingwith the Kingsport Times-News on Tuesday, he and Randy Boyd, special adviser for higher education, gave arundown on the logistics and reasons for the program, which has a website at www.driveto55.org.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067020/tennessee-governor-formally-launches-drive-to-55-program

HaslamAnnounces"Drive to 55" Plan (WBBJ-TV Memphis)Governor Bill Halsam unveiled a multi-million dollar proposal called the "Drive to 55" Plan to help getTennesseeans jobs.cGovernor Haslam says he's investing in Tennessee education, and announced a $35 millionendowment that if approved by state lawmakers would provide nearly $2 million in additional scholarships eachyear. In the next five years, Governor Haslam says more than half of Tennessee jobs will require post secondarycredentials. Governor Haslam doesn't want people to underestimate the power of two-year associates degrees.Cameron Byrd is in his second year at Jackson State Community College. He plans to transfer to the University ofMemphis at Lambuth and eventually become a doctor. "I think community colleges are a wonderful thing in thecommunity," Byrd said. "They give students the opportunity to stay home and learn in a relaxed atmosphereinstead of having other distractions of college." Joy Weathers is in her first year of the nursing program at JacksonState Community College. The mother of three sees the importance of the governor's plan.

http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Haslam-Announces-Drive-to-55-222387791.html

GovernorBill HaslamOutlinesPlan to IncreaseHigherEducation(WREG-TV)Governor Bill Haslam talked more in-depth about his plan to boost the number of college graduates in Tennesseeduring an event Wednesday. Haslam highlighted several college education initiatives, including the progress of thestate-backed on-line college, Western Governors University. Governor Haslam also said in the next few weeksTennessee would start distributing a $47 million endowment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, alongwith more than $16 million earmarked from the state budget for workforce development programs at communitycolleges. http://wreg.com/2013/09/04/governor-bill-haslam-outlines-plan-to-increase-higher-education/
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/09/04/governor-haslam-outlines-college.htmlhttp://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2013/09/05/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-shifts-drive-55-initiative-high-gear/http://www.driveto55.org/http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067020/tennessee-governor-formally-launches-drive-to-55-programhttp://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Haslam-Announces-Drive-to-55-222387791.htmlhttp://wreg.com/2013/09/04/governor-bill-haslam-outlines-plan-to-increase-higher-education/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/09/04/governor-haslam-outlines-college.htmlhttp://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2013/09/05/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-shifts-drive-55-initiative-high-gear/http://www.driveto55.org/http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067020/tennessee-governor-formally-launches-drive-to-55-programhttp://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Haslam-Announces-Drive-to-55-222387791.htmlhttp://wreg.com/2013/09/04/governor-bill-haslam-outlines-plan-to-increase-higher-education/


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AverageWageFor TN High SchoolGradsDrops$4,000In Five Years(WPLN-Radio)Governor Sees Moral Responsibility To Intervene The average wage of a high school graduate in Tennessee isfalling, as those with degrees make more money each year. Governor Bill Haslam is using this point to call for adrastic increase in Tennessees college completion rate. High school grads with full-time jobs saw average pay slipfrom roughly $39,000 in 2006 to $35,000 in 2011, according to research by Jeff Strohl of Georgetown UniversityCenter on Education and the Workforce. During that same time, those with just a minimum amount of furthereducation received raises, creating a growing gap between education levels. At the end of the day, this really

becomes like everything else thats really important a moral challenge, Haslam said Wednesday to a crowd oflawmakers, education officials and business leaders in Nashville. It becomes important for us to say we wontaccept having a percentage of our population that gets left behind.http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/

HaslamAmpsUp Drive to 55 Initiativeto ImproveTN HigherEd Numbers(TNR)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today convened key stakeholders including members of the General Assembly andleaders from Tennessees four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, colleges of applied technology,chambers of commerce, the business community, and the state board of education to discuss the challengesTennessee faces in building a strong workforce for today and in the future. We want Tennesseans working inTennessee jobs. We want Tennesseans to have an opportunity to get a good job and for those in the workplace to

be able to advance and get an even better job, Haslam said. Currently in Tennessee, only 32 percent of us havea certificate or degree beyond high school, and studies show that by the year 2025 that number needs to be atleast 55 percent for us to keep up with job demand. We have a lot of work ahead of us.http://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-amps-up-drive-to-55-initiative-to-improve-tn-higher-ed-numbers/

Jobskeep coming,but companiesstruggleto find qualifiedworkers(TN/Williams)The jobs are coming; the jobs are here. Gov. Bill Haslam has been trekking across Middle Tennessee making onenew jobs announcement after another during the past few weeks, and the numbers are mounting, into thethousands. In just the past six or seven weeks, weve had three companies announce expansions that will bring atleast 1,000 jobs each, Haslam said this week during one of those events at auto supplier Calsonic Kansei NorthAmerica in Shelbyville. They include 1,000 jobs for Aramark and 1,000 for UBS in Nashville; and 1,200 forCalsonic, in three locations Shelbyville, Lewisburg and Smyrna. And there have been others that have pushedthe total to well over 6,000 jobs announced in the past two months. But theres a downside, workforce experts say:finding enough qualified applicants to fill those positions in a timely fashion, even though unemployment has beenrising this summer in the Nashville area. Last month, we had 60,000 people still looking for work in MiddleTennessee, and that has been going up over the past nine months, said David Penn, director of the BusinessandEconomic Research Center at the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/BUSINESS01/309050046/Jobs-keep-coming-TN-companies-struggle-find-qualified-workers (SUBSRIPTION)

HaslamNamesSmithto TN Boardof Regents(TN Report)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed J. Parker Smith to the Tennessee Board of Regents as therepresentative of the First Congressional District. I am grateful to Parker for serving our state in this importantway, Haslam said. His experience and commitment will be valuable on the board. Smith, 60, is vice presidentand general manager of Worldwide Manufacturing Support and Global Quality for Eastman Chemical Company.

He has spent his entire career with Eastman, which he began as a co-op student while at North Carolina StateUniversity. He has served as superintendent of the Centralized Maintenance Division in Kingsport and the leader ofthe Eastman Chemical Worldwide Maintenance and Reliability Team.http://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-names-smith-to-tn-board-of-regents/

HaslamappointsJ. ParkerSmithto Regentsboard(AssociatedPress)Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed J. Parker Smith to the Tennessee Board of Regents. Smith will represent the 1stCongressional District. The 60-year-old is vice president and general manager of Worldwide ManufacturingSupport and Global Quality for Eastman Chemical Co. Haslam says he believes Parker's experience andcommitment will benefit the board, which oversees six state universities, 13 community colleges and 27 colleges ofapplied technology. http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/regional/Haslam-appoints-J-Parker-Smith-to-Regents-board-222437681.html
http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/http://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-amps-up-drive-to-55-initiative-to-improve-tn-higher-ed-numbers/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/BUSINESS01/309050046/Jobs-keep-coming-TN-companies-struggle-find-qualified-workershttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/BUSINESS01/309050046/Jobs-keep-coming-TN-companies-struggle-find-qualified-workershttp://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-names-smith-to-tn-board-of-regents/http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/regional/Haslam-appoints-J-Parker-Smith-to-Regents-board-222437681.htmlhttp://www.wbbjtv.com/news/regional/Haslam-appoints-J-Parker-Smith-to-Regents-board-222437681.htmlhttp://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/average-wage-for-tn-high-school-grads-drops-4000-in-five-years-governor-sees-moral-responsibility-to-intervene/http://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-amps-up-drive-to-55-initiative-to-improve-tn-higher-ed-numbers/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/BUSINESS01/309050046/Jobs-keep-coming-TN-companies-struggle-find-qualified-workershttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/BUSINESS01/309050046/Jobs-keep-coming-TN-companies-struggle-find-qualified-workershttp://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/haslam-names-smith-to-tn-board-of-regents/http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/regional/Haslam-appoints-J-Parker-Smith-to-Regents-board-222437681.htmlhttp://www.wbbjtv.com/news/regional/Haslam-appoints-J-Parker-Smith-to-Regents-board-222437681.html


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ARCto add 115 new jobs (ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press)ARC Automotive, Inc. will expand its Knoxville plant and add 115 jobs to meet its growing domestic and globalsales. The manufacturer of inflator products for airbag applications is spending $3 million to enlarge its 21-year-oldcomplex.The Knoxville-based company, which has offices in Japan and Korea and manufacturing facilities in Chinaand Mexico, is bringing more of its production to the U.S. "Fast-growing, forward-thinking companies like ARCAutomotive not only see the benefits of doing business in Tennessee, but also focus their efforts to return highquality manufacturing jobs from overseas markets," said Bill Hagerty, Tennessee's commissioner for economic and

community development. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalley(REGISTRATION)

ARCAutomotiveto add 115 jobs (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)Auto parts manufacturer ARC Automotive Inc. announced Wednesday that it plans a $3 million expansion of itsKnoxville operation, adding 115 new jobs. The Knoxville-based company said it has seen growing demand in thedomestic and international automobile markets and is expanding to meet that need. Besides Knoxville, thecompany has facilities in Japan, Korea, China and Mexico. ARC chose Knoxville for the expansion due in largepart to its familiarity with the area labor market and continued dedication and hard work of its employees, ARCVice President of Human Resources Gabe Bucca said in a statement. The Knoxville plant, located at 1611 ThirdCreek Road, is expected to fill most of the 115 positions within the first year of expansion. The plant specializes inresearch, engineering, prototype development and production. ARC, which has been in Knoxville more than 20

years, makes inflator products for air bag equipment, including driver, passenger, side and curtain inflaters.Expanding the regional automotive sector is a focus of the Innovation Valley initiative, said Rhonda Rice, executivevice president of the Knoxville Chamber. And ARCs expansion validates our workforce, location and businessclimate, she said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/arc-automotive-to-add-115-jobs/(SUB)

ARCto expandin Knoxville, add more than 100 jobs (WATE-TV Knoxville)ARC Automotive, a global manufacturer of airbag inflator products, will soon add two new production lines at it'sThird Creek facility. The three-million-dollar investment will create 115 new jobs at the facility. ARC has beenheadquartered in Knoxville since 1992. The expansion increases the number of employees by 50 percent. "Oncewe get them here, we keep 'em," Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. "It's exactly what we're seeing, they arefinding out what a great area this is to do business in." This is the company's largest job expansion since therecession in 2008. Several other automotive supply companies have expressed interest in relocating to Knoxville.Doug Lawyer oversees economic development for the Knoxville Chamber. He says the auto industry is growinglocally. "It's automotive component sectors of companies that we're trying to recruit here to this region," Lawyersaid http://www.wate.com/story/23343260/arc-to-expand-in-knoxville-add-more-than-100-jobs

Steppingforward:MountainGoat Trail gets $200,000grant go-ahead(TFP/Benton)The Mountain Goat Trail project on Monteagle Mountain just got two kicks in the pants for the next and futuresegments of trail work in the areas of Monteagle, Palmer and Tracy City. The first boost for the Mountain Goat Trailproject -- which consists of plans for a smooth, walkable trail from Cowan, Tenn., in Franklin County to Palmer,Tenn., in Grundy County -- came in August in the form of a $200,000 Recreational Trails Program grant, accordingto Mountain Goat Trail Alliance board President Janice Thomas and staff grant writer Patrick Dean. The second bitof good news came from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which approved the start of work on thetrail segment between Sewanee and Monteagle, Dean and Thomas said. The first-phase piece of the trail inSewanee is complete almost to the Franklin-Grundy county line. The Mountain Goat Trail is a rail-to-trail project to

convert 35 to 40 miles of the abandoned Mountain Goat Railroad right of way into a multiuse recreational corridorbetween Grundy and Franklin counties. The $200,000 grant will fund about two miles of trail work that could bestarted inside the city limits of Tracy City and Palmer, or possibly another section somewhere between, Dean andThomas said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/stepping-forward/?local (REGISTRATION)

Wait timesstill long in Tennesseedriver servicecenters(AssociatedPress)Although state officials have made improvements in how driver service centers operate, motorists still have longwait times for service. The Tennessean reports attempts to cut wait times over the last two years have beenhampered by computer issues and an increase in handgun permit applications. Gov. Bill Haslam promised twoyears ago to work on cutting the wait for customers at the centers. At one center in July, people waited an averageof 40 minutes before getting service. At another center in Nashville, people were given estimated wait times of
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalleyhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalleyhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalleyhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/arc-automotive-to-add-115-jobs/http://www.wate.com/story/23343260/arc-to-expand-in-knoxville-add-more-than-100-jobshttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/stepping-forward/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/stepping-forward/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalleyhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/auto-supplier-to-add-115-jobs-in-knoxville/?businesstnvalleyhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/arc-automotive-to-add-115-jobs/http://www.wate.com/story/23343260/arc-to-expand-in-knoxville-add-more-than-100-jobshttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/stepping-forward/?local


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three hours. Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said he hopes the setbacks, which hehopes are temporary, show how difficult the job of fixing driver service centers has been. It is a big challenge, hesaid. We came into a situation where there was what I call a culture of mediocrity that had existed for a very longtime. And thats not just a problem in Tennessee. I think thats a problem nationwide in drivers license operations.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067016/wait-times-still-long-in-tennessee-driver-service-centers

Longlines continueto be commonsite at DMV(WKRN-TV Nashville)

Long lines are continuing to plague area DMVs and driver license reinstatement centers throughout MiddleTennessee. At a reinstatement center a couple of miles east of downtown Nashville, motorists waited in a long lineoutside of the building on Wednesday. News 2 spoke with Dickson County resident Cindy Parish who said shearrived to the station during the wee hours of the morning to ensure one of the first spots. "Two o'clock [in themorning] I was here," she said. "I'm coming from Van Leer. It took me about an hour and a half to get here; and Iwas here yesterday and got here about 10 o'clock and the line was so long I just left." State Deputy CommissionLarry Godwin's job is to help troubleshoot problems at the DMV and admitted the reinstatement process isdeliberate. "We are not really issuing a license. We are reinstating and it's taking along time to pull everything upto make sure they're in compliance, to make sure they paid all their fines," he explained. Parish, among othermotorists, believes changes need to be made. http://www.wkrn.com/story/23344331/dmv-lines

Huffmantakes read on ASDculture, numbersin Memphis(C. Appeal/Roberts)

Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman got the CEO tour Wednesday of what fast-track improvement inschools looks like in a corner of the state where his reputation most depends on it. At Whitney AchievementElementary, the first stop in a whirlwind of stops and sessions in the Achievement School District, two fifth-gradersin white shirts and purple ties shook Huffmans hand like job candidates. Were learning more, said Ronald Willis,10. We have new teachers. They want us to strive harder and go to college and be successful in life. The statetook over Whitney 21 school days ago, making it the sixth public school in Frayser in the state-run ASD. If theschool performs as projected, students will make double-digit gains in reading and math this year alone. If they cankeep it up for five years, they will take Whitney from the bottom 5 percent of schools in the state to the top 25percent, the goal. Getting there will require as big a change in school culture as in reading and math scores.Huffman is confident, even though the first batch of ASD test scores this spring were good but not great. Studentsin ASD schools made strong gains in math and science, but Ill be the first to say their growth in reading was notgood, Huffman said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/state-education-boss-lauds-hopson/(SUBSCRIPTION)

UT's BakerCenter celebratesdecadeof work (News-Sentinel/Boehnke)Former Sen. Howard Baker Jr. could not make it to the 10th anniversary celebration of the University of Tennesseecenter that bears his name, but officials made sure to save him a slice of his favorite cake chocolate. Plenty ofothers also showed up Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the 87-year-old Tennesseans namesake institute., theHoward H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy on Cumberland Avenue. More than 50 people milled about therotunda snacking on cake and finger foods while looking at memorabilia from events hosted over the last decade.The center opened to visitors the Modern Political Archives, which includes the papers of former senator andpresidential candidate Fred Thompson and Estes Kefauver,a 1950s-era senator from Tennessee who led a Senateinvestigation into organized crime and was a one-time vice presidential candidate. Bakers papers, which are alsokept there, include documents on the 1970s-era Watergate scandal, 1977 Panama Canal treaty and 1986 Iran-Contra affair. Among the Baker Centers greatest accomplishments are the big names it has attracted.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/uts-baker-center-celebrates-decade-of-work/(SUBSCRIPTION)

MTSUofficials makingsix-city tour of Tennessee(AssociatedPress)Middle Tennessee State University's top administrators and deans will meet with prospective students in six citiesin September and October as part of its annual "True Blue Tour." MTSU says that President Sidney A. McPhee,deans of the eight academic colleges, and financial aid and admissions counselors will be available to answerquestions from prospective students and their parents in the six cities. The tour will include receptions inChattanooga on Sept. 17; Johnson City on Sept. 23; Knoxville on Sept. 24; Nashville on Oct. 8; Memphis on Oct.21; and Jackson on Oct. 22. MTSU is also reaching out to about 15,000 Tennessee high school seniors with ACTscores of 19 and higher with a brochure inviting them to attend a tour stop and visit the Murfreesboro campus.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/mtsu-officials-making-six-city-tour-of-tennessee/(SUB)
http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067016/wait-times-still-long-in-tennessee-driver-service-centershttp://www.wkrn.com/story/23344331/dmv-lineshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/state-education-boss-lauds-hopson/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/uts-baker-center-celebrates-decade-of-work/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/mtsu-officials-making-six-city-tour-of-tennessee/http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067016/wait-times-still-long-in-tennessee-driver-service-centershttp://www.wkrn.com/story/23344331/dmv-lineshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/state-education-boss-lauds-hopson/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/uts-baker-center-celebrates-decade-of-work/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/05/mtsu-officials-making-six-city-tour-of-tennessee/


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Futureof virtual schoolsin Tennesseeon thin ice (News-Sentinel/Humphrey)A Campbell County effort to launch Tennessees second virtual school under contract with K12 Inc. is apparentlydead for the year and the status of the first, headquartered in Union County, may be in jeopardy next year becauseof poor student test scores. Weve made it clear to the Virtual Academy our concern with their results, Gov. BillHaslam told reporters in response to a question Tuesday. You know, if were going to hold people accountable,we need to hold people accountable everywhere in the education chain, including them. Campbell County officials

worked with K12 Inc. this summer to plan a Tennessee Cyber Academy for grades K-10 in the current school yearwith expansion to include grades 11 and 12 next year. In 2011, K12 Inc. contracted with Union County to launchTennessee Virtual Academy, which offers classes in grades K-8. Student scores for the virtual school have beenamong the lowest in the state during its two years of operation. The state Department of Education in late Julyrejected Campbell Countys initial application. Saying it lacked sufficient information, the denial stopped plans forthe school to begin classes Aug. 9. Campbell County officials responded with a revised application providing moreinformation. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/future-of-virtual-schools-in-tennessee-on-thin/(SUB)

'Vital Signs' study to examinewell-beingof Nashville area (Tennessean/Brown)The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce announces today it is conducting an extensive economic study of theNashville area in a bid to identify problems facing the region and opportunities for improvement. The chambersresearchers are examining the Nashville areas economy, workforce and quality of life. The study also will look at

ways communities depend on one another. This report will shine a light on the critical opportunities and needs inour region, Ralph Schulz, the chambers president and CEO, said in a news release. We expect to find manyareas where we are excelling, as well as issues that present opportunity for improvement. The study, which iscalled Vital Signs, is modeled on a project in Toronto, which in 2001 began examining economic and social datato get a sense of that regions well-being. After a visit to the city in 2011, chamber leaders began layinggroundwork for their own version of the report, said Michelle Lacewell, a spokeswoman for the business group.The chamber is partnering with the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and The Tennessean on thestudy. That model for examining the health of the region has been adopted by cities throughout Canada and inEurope and Brazil. Community groups in Erie, Pa., conducted a similar study.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050067/-Vital-Signs-study-examine-well-being-Nashville-area (SUBSCRIPTION)

Critical audit targets ShelbyCountyElectionCommission,again (CA/Perrusquia)The Shelby County Election Commission is the focus of another critical audit, this time focusing on the error-plagued agencys competence in registering voters. A draft audit report prepared by Shelby County governmentsinternal audit unit found the commission failed to process dozens of voter registration applications between March2012 and this January. The report also says that improper documentation made it impossible for auditors to identifyelection commission employees who processed or changed some voter registration records, and that a computeruser profile used to make some changes was deleted during the audit. The report follows a critical audit last yearby the state that found the commission gave numerous voters the wrong ballots in the August 2012 state primariesand local general elections. The mix ups, which involved failing to place some voters in their correct districtsfollowing redistricting of the countys political boundaries, led to a judges ruling last month to overturn the results ofone school board race and order a new election. The ruling is expected to be appealed.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/audit-faults-shelby-county-election-commissions-re/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Retiredagent: 28th District DrugTask Forcecould fold (JacksonSun)The retired leader of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force for the 28th Judicial District says the task force couldfold due to a lack of funding. Donny Blackwell, who retired as special agent in charge of the task force on Aug. 31,said the task force may not be in operation next year because the court is not assessing and collecting finesdesignated to fund the task force. The 28th District takes in Gibson, Crockett and Haywood counties. ClayburnPeeples is the head Circuit Court judge for the district. Blackwell said in a typed statement emailed to The JacksonSun and others that Peeples has declared drug offenders indigent and, citing law, waived the fines that would fundthe task force. Blackwell said other fees that cover court costs are rarely waived. I have not seen many drugdealers over the years that had a legitimate job, Blackwell said. On paper they are indigent because they do nothave a legitimate job. But I have seen these same indigent drug offenders make multiple bonds for thousands ofdollars to get out of jail and then hire and pay a private attorney thousands of dollars to represent them.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/future-of-virtual-schools-in-tennessee-on-thin/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050067/-Vital-Signs-study-examine-well-being-Nashville-areahttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050067/-Vital-Signs-study-examine-well-being-Nashville-areahttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/audit-faults-shelby-county-election-commissions-re/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/future-of-virtual-schools-in-tennessee-on-thin/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050067/-Vital-Signs-study-examine-well-being-Nashville-areahttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050067/-Vital-Signs-study-examine-well-being-Nashville-areahttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/audit-faults-shelby-county-election-commissions-re/


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http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-fold(SUBSCRIPTION)

McCainsAmendmentto CorkersSyria AuthorizationApproved(TN Report)The proposed congressional authorization of U.S. military action against Syria passed out of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee 10-7-1 Wednesday afternoon. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona successfullyproposed language directing the Obama administration to attempt to change the military equation on thebattlefield so as to help facilitate a negotiated end to the civil war and the departure of the countrys president,

Bashar Assad. The measure has to pass the full Senate and make its way through the U.S. House ofRepresentatives before it carries official congressional weight. It is expected to be taken up next week on the U.S.Senate floor. The House version is currently in that chambers Foreign Affairs Committee. McCain had earlierindicated that he opposed the force-authorization resolution initially proposed by Tennessees Bob Corker, aChattanooga Republican. McCain said that in his view it was too narrow in scope and strategic ambition.http://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/mccains-amendment-to-corkers-syria-authorization-approved/

In their words: Corker, DesJarlaistalk about Syria (ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press)"None of us want the U.S. mired down in another conflict, so the committee has significantly limited the president'soriginal authorization, while still providing for an appropriate use of force in response to Assad's use of chemicalweapons." The resolution "prevents boots on the ground, limits the duration of any military action, and requires aprogress report on the administration's overall Syria policy. As we now move to the full Senate, the American

people deserve a full and open debate about U.S. interests in Syria." -- U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who votedfor the resolution "I think we need to stay out of it. I think it's a civil war that we don't need to get involved in. Wedon't have any opposition fighters that have Americans' interests in line, and I don't think America has the stomachright now to get involved in another conflict." Information provided by the White House "does not make a clearenough case that this was for sure an order from the Assad regime to use chemical weapons." -- U.S. Rep. ScottDesJarlais, R-Tenn., said he will vote against the resolution http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/in-their-words/?local (REGISTRATION)

Rep. Roe on Syria: 'If I had to vote today, I wouldvote no' (News-Sentinel/Collins)U.S. Rep. Phil Roe has two things he wants to do before he casts his vote on a resolution authorizing militarystrikes against Syria. He wants to review the intelligence reports that concluded Syrian President Bashar al-Assadused chemical weapons on his own people, killing 1,429, including 400 children. He also wants to revisit theVietnam War Memorial and look once again over the 58,286 names etched into the black granite wall, a starkreminder of the human cost of war. This is the hardest decision because Ive been asked to put young peopleslives at risk since Ive been in Congress, said Roe, a Johnson City Republican. The rest of this stuff is arguingabout policies and issues. Now, were talking about unleashing the dogs of war. Knowing what he knows right nowabout the situation in Syria and the possibility of military strikes, with the information I have, if I had to vote today, Iwould vote no, Roe said. The vote is likely to come next week when Congress returns from its August recess.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/rep-roe-on-syria-if-i-had-to-vote-today-i-would/(SUBSCRIPTION)

What Do TennesseansHave To Say About Syria?(WPLN-Radio Nashville)Tennessees congressional delegation is being flooded by phone calls and emails regarding potential airstrikes inSyria. Democrat Jim Cooper of Nashville says hes hearing from both sides. Republican Scott DesJarlais whorepresents Murfreesboro and Shelbyville says the response hes hearing is overwhelmingly against militaryaction. WPLN asked Nashville residents about their concerns of action and in-action in Syria. They sound as

conflicted as many in Congress who are still on the fence. I worry what happens if there are strikes against Syria,and I worry what happens if there arent strikes against Syria. Abbie Wolf of the Jewish Federation of Nashville.I think it should be avoided if at all possible, if at all possible. Manuel Sir, retired dentist. They say if you dontdeal with the problem then youre part of the problem. I dont think we can ignore the situation. We cant putsanctions on them because theyll laugh at us. Marcia Rosen, retired teacher.http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/what-do-tennesseans-have-to-say-about-syria-theyre-just-as-conflicted-as-congress/

With insurancemarketplacesweeksaway, studygives glimpseinto cost (Tenn)The No. 1 question about President Barack Obamas health-care law is whether consumers will be able to affordthe coverage. Now the answer is coming in. The biggest study yet of premiums posted by states finds that the
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-foldhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-foldhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-foldhttp://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/mccains-amendment-to-corkers-syria-authorization-approved/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/in-their-words/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/in-their-words/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/rep-roe-on-syria-if-i-had-to-vote-today-i-would/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/rep-roe-on-syria-if-i-had-to-vote-today-i-would/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/what-do-tennesseans-have-to-say-about-syria-theyre-just-as-conflicted-as-congress/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/what-do-tennesseans-have-to-say-about-syria-theyre-just-as-conflicted-as-congress/http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-foldhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050007/Retired-agent-28th-District-Drug-Task-Force-could-foldhttp://tnreport.com/2013/09/04/mccains-amendment-to-corkers-syria-authorization-approved/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/in-their-words/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/in-their-words/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/04/rep-roe-on-syria-if-i-had-to-vote-today-i-would/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/what-do-tennesseans-have-to-say-about-syria-theyre-just-as-conflicted-as-congress/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/04/what-do-tennesseans-have-to-say-about-syria-theyre-just-as-conflicted-as-congress/


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sticker price for a 21-year-old buying a midrange policy will average about $270 a month. Thats before income-based government tax credits that bring down the cost for many people. For instance, a 21-year-old making$20,000 a year would pay $85 a month, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Calculator, while onemaking $30,000 would pay $209. List-price premiums for a 40-year-old buying a midrange plan without qualifyingfor a tax credit will average close to $330 a month, the study by Avalere Health found. For a 60-year-old, they werenearly double that, at $615 a month. But the tax credits can dramatically change the actual premiums. We believeTennesseans will be surprised at how affordable coverage can be with a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennesseeplan, said Kelly J. Allen, a spokeswoman for the company. Based off of feedback we received from our focusgroup research, we worked hard to offer a broad range of coverage options, with monthly costs as low as $50 to$100 after federal cost savings are received. There are several variables that go into the cost of a plan, so weencourage anyone that does not have insurance to visit our website to learn more about the coverage options.http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiums(SUBSCRIPTION)

AffordableCare Act study: 40-year-old, mid-rangehealth plan to average$330 (AP)The No. 1 question about President Barack Obamas health care law is whether consumers will be able to affordthe coverage. Now the answer is coming in. The biggest study yet of premiums posted by states finds that thesticker price for a 21-year-old buying a mid-range policy will average about $270 a month. Thats beforegovernment tax credits that act like a discount for most people, bringing down the cost based on their income. List-price premiums for a 40-year-old buying a mid-range plan will average close to $330, the study by Avalere Health

found. For a 60-year-old, they were nearly double that at $615 a month. Starting Oct. 1, people who dont havehealth care coverage on their job can go to new online insurance markets in their states to shop for a private planand find out if they qualify for a tax credit. Come Jan. 1, virtually all Americans will be required to have coverage, orface fines. At the same time, insurance companies will no longer be able to turn away people in poor health. Thestudy points to the emergence of a competitive market, said lead author Caroline Pearson, a vice president of theprivate data analysis firm. But its a market with big price differences among age groups, states and even withinstates. A copy was provided to The Associated Press.http://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS01/309050009/Affordable-Care-Act-study-40-year-old-mid-range-health-plan-average-330(SUBSCRIPTION)

CollegesWorry Their Big Bills Will KeepStudentsAway(Wall Street Journal)Maintaining strong enrollment is becoming a bigger worry for college administrators as cash-strapped families

begin to balk at rising tuition bills, according to a survey by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP. The annualsurvey found that 37% of 103 higher-education leaders said they are "very concerned" about their ability tomaintain current enrollment levels, up from 23% last year. The survey included 62 top administrators from privateinstitutions and 41 from public ones. The economic crisis hurt many families' credit scores, and at the same time,the underwriting standards for loans have gotten tighter, said Milford McGuirt, KPMG's national audit sector leaderfor higher education and non-for-profits. "Families have to make tough decisions on the amount of investment andthe return on investment from going to college," he said. The survey said many schools are trying to lower costswithout hurting quality, with 59% of respondents looking to online education and other innovative strategies,compared with 41% last year. The school leaders said families' finances were a growing challenge in maintainingenrollment, with 58% calling it the top factor, compared with 49% last year.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323893004579055332692755074.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

VW official: Chattanoogaworkscouncil shouldcomeby 'formal vote' (TFP/Pare)Volkswagen Group of America's chief executive said Wednesday the automaker's Chattanooga workforce willdecide on a works council labor board at the plant through "a formal vote," and the result may or may not includethird-party representation such as a union. "That process has to run its course," said Jonathan Browning during aconference call with analysts and reporters on the automaker's August U.S. sales results. "Those realities haven'tchanged." The CEO was responding to a question related to talks between top VW and United Auto Workersofficials last week in Wolfsburg, Germany, over the potential of a works council at the Chattanooga factory. Someexperts have said that such a panel, which could include hourly and salaried employees to discuss plant-relatedissues, would run afoul of U.S. labor law unless a union is formally involved. The UAW has been asking a majorityof rank and file workers at the plant to sign cards authorizing the union to represent them. Union proponents havesaid that the UAW could be recognized by using the signed cards if the company chooses to bypass a secret-ballotelection. Browning said VW is looking for "an innovative solution" that permits Chattanooga plant employees to
http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiumshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiumshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiumshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS01/309050009/Affordable-Care-Act-study-40-year-old-mid-range-health-plan-average-330http://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS01/309050009/Affordable-Care-Act-study-40-year-old-mid-range-health-plan-average-330http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323893004579055332692755074.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiumshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS07/309050044/With-insurance-marketplaces-weeks-away-study-gives-glimpse-into-cost-premiumshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS01/309050009/Affordable-Care-Act-study-40-year-old-mid-range-health-plan-average-330http://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS01/309050009/Affordable-Care-Act-study-40-year-old-mid-range-health-plan-average-330http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323893004579055332692755074.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1


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have a strong voice in the automaker's global works council structure.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/vw-official-chattanooga-works-council-should-come/?business(REGISTRATION)

GOPdreadsnew possibility of UAWfootholdin South(AssociatedPress/Schelzig)The prospect of the United Auto Workers gaining a new foothold at Volkswagens plant in Tennessee worries someSouthern Republicans, who say laws banning mandatory union membership have helped lure foreign automakers.But Volkswagen faces pressure from labor interests on its supervisory board to grant workers a stronger voice at

the plant. And Handelsblatt, a German business newspaper, reported Monday that UAW President Bob King andfive other officials discussed the Tennessee plant with the companys employee relations chief last week at VWsheadquarters in Wolfsburg. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam warned Tuesday his states prospects could suffer if theUAW succeeds in representing workers at Volkswagens lone U.S. assembly plant in Chattanooga. Its anargument that many Southern politicians have made, fearing that union representation would deter businesses and badly needed jobs from coming to their respective states. We have heard from other folks that wererecruiting that that would be dampen their enthusiasm with Tennessee, Haslam said. Volkswagen has declined tocomment on about reports that the company is meeting with the UAW. But Jonathan Browning, Volkswagen Groupof Americas president and CEO, said Wednesday that labor questions will be left to workers at the plant.http://www.dnj.com/viewart/20130905/NEWS/309050010/GOP-dreads-new-possibility-UAW-foothold-South (SUB)

Mental health facility opensin downtownChattanooga(TimesFree-Press/Harrison)

Hundreds of people with mental illness end up in local hospitals or jails simply because they don't have access tobasic care. Hoping to reduce those numbers, a new outpatient mental health facility has opened in downtownChattanooga to serve those within a seven-county radius. The Mental Health Cooperative of Middle Tennesseeopened doors at its Holtzclaw Avenue location Tuesday. The MHC, a Nashville-based nonprofit, providespsychiatric and psychological services to people with the fewest resources: Those on TennCare, or those withoutinsurance. Melissa Wilson, the Chattanooga facility's director, said MHC began eyeing an expansion toChattanooga after several East Tennessee families approached the organization about the need for anotheralternative for mental health services in the area. "So far, people have been very supportive and very interested inwhat we do," Wilson said. "We know that mental health services are needed everywhere in our community."Founded in 1993, the MHC says it has assisted nearly 20,000 children, adults and families annually in throughoutMiddle Tennessee counties. The Chattanooga facility its is first venture into East Tennessee.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/mental-health-facility-opens/?local(REGISTRATION)

Hutchesonplansto sell nursinghome, wantsto focuson core biz (TFP/Omarzu)Hutcheson Medical Center plans to sell its nursing home, Parkside at Hutcheson, as the publicly owned FortOglethorpe hospital looks for a new partner to manage its operations. "I just hope if anybody buys it, it stays like itis," Wanda Parrish said Wednesday afternoon as she walked into the 109-bed nursing home on Hutcheson's FortOglethorpe campus to visit her 88-year-old mother, Verna Bean, who's lived there about five years. "We've beenreal satisfied. They take good care of her, and it's real clean." Hutcheson spokeswoman Stacey Kaufmann said thenursing home is profitable and now is 85 percent full. Hutcheson wants to sell it, she said, so it can focus on itscore hospital business. "Many hospitals are divesting of noncore businesses [such as nursing homes or propertymanagement] in order to focus on core hospital service lines and operations," Kaufmann said via email. Shedeclined to say specifically who might buy the hospital or what it's worth. The nursing home is being shoppedaround by Ken Conner, a principal at Decosimo Accountants and Business Advisors in Chattanooga, who's puttingtogether the request for proposals for Hutcheson to find a new partner as it ends its current management

agreement with Erlanger Health System of Chattanooga.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/05/hutcheson-plans-to-sell-nursing-home/?local(REGISTRATION)

MemphisChamberthrowssupportbehindPre-K plan (MemphisBusinessJournal)Wednesday the Greater Memphis Chamber announced it will support a coming ballot initiative to raise taxes tofund a pre-kindergarten initiative. Buckman Gibson" Kathy Buckman Gibson, chairman of the board at Buckman,also joined with the Chamber. In order for businesses to grow, it is essential for them to have access to a qualityworkforce, said Buckman Gibson. Pre-K education is critical to developing the kind of workforce that will help ourbusinesses be successful. The initiative seeks to provide Pre-k classes to 4,500 Memphis area children. A ballotinitiative on the program is scheduled to be held this fall. To pay for the program, voters must approve a halfpercent sales tax increase.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/09/04/memphis-chamber-throws-support-behind.html
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BusinessLeadersBackPre-K Initiative (MemphisDaily News)The Greater Memphis Chamber and members of the business community have come out in support of a halfpercent hike in the city sales tax rate to fund pre-kindergarten education for more than 4,500 4-year-olds in the city.The Memphis City Council in August approved an ordinance to put that tax increase on the ballot for city voters to

raise money for what would be a city-administered pre-kindergarten program for children. A benefit is that it wouldinclude children currently left out of the system, and the importance of funding that program was stressedWednesday, Sept. 4, by Kathy Buckman Gibson, chairman of the board of Buckman Laboratories InternationalInc., a privately held specialty chemical company. She has been a leading voice in the business communityadvocating for pre-kindergarten efforts in Memphis. We can no longer wait for this thing to happen, she said. Itsnot just a quality-of-life issue. Its an economic issue. Pre-K is a way to start achieving a better workforce. (Pre-Keducation) reduces the achievement gap between low- and middle-income students. For every dollar we invest, weachieve a return of over $5.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/4/business-leaders-back-pre-k-initiative/

Manyapplaudboard'sswift decisionto hire Hopson(CommercialAppeal/Kelley)A slimmed down Shelby County Board of Education showed how decisive it could be with its new, more nimble six-

member configuration Tuesday night, and its getting good reviews for its quick decision to end a national searchfor a permanent leader and negotiate a contract with interim Supt. Dorsey Hopson. The decision likely would haverequired hours of debate by the 23-member board that saw Shelby County Schools through its difficult, complexmerger with Memphis City Schools, said former board member Betty Mallott. Not that the outcome would havebeen different. There would have been a lot of debate, but I believe a similar decision would have been made,Mallott said. Dorsey was so well respected, and even those no longer on the board would have seen therationale. Former member Joe Clayton, who unsuccessfully promoted former SCS Supt. John Aitken for the job,agreed that the Hopson choice was sound and practical. With things as they are I doubt very seriously we wouldbe able to attract a really first-class person who would come in here and stay with the program and make thingshappen, Clayton said. Dorsey has proved that he is very transparent, sincere, dedicated to the job, and I think hehas the experience now where he could carry this thing forward and do as well as anyone could do.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/04/many-applaud-boards-swift-decision-to-hire/(SUB)

SchoolBoardMakesHopson'sSuperintendentRole Permanent(M. Daily News)Somewhere around the time he underwent his first trial by fire presenting the school systems budget to theShelby County Commission for approval Dorsey Hopson began rethinking whether he was interested in beingthe superintendent of the consolidated school system on a long-term basis. I truly havent had time to think aboutit, Hopson said at a July 2 press conference to mark the July 1 formal start of the merger. That was a differentanswer than the one he had given over the previous five months when asked if he wanted the interim job on somekind of permanent basis. Then Hopson had always been quick to say he wasnt interested. I think that at thisparticular moment what this situation needed was some strong leadership and I think that Ive done my best toprovide that, Hopson said in July. Once we get where we need to be, then I think the board will decide what thenext step is. The school board did that Tuesday, Sept. 3, in its first meeting as a seven-member body with onevacancy on the board to be filled next week by the Shelby County Commission.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/5/school-board-makes-hopsons-superintendent-role-

permanent/

KnoxBOEapprovestransferringnearly $4M to magnetschool (WBIR-TV Knoxville)The Knox County School Board approved a plan Wednesday night to transfer nearly $4 million to a new magnethigh school. The money will come out of Pond Gap Elementary School's funding and go toward the new CareerTechnical Education Center on Pellissippi State's Strawberry Plains campus. The center will allow high schoolstudents to take college courses that will help them get their associate's degree. Knox County Schoolssuperintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre said the new school will open career pathways for students. "It will be a magnetschool that will focus on four different career pathways that lead to high demand, high wage, high skill jobs for ourkids and that leaders in industry in our region have told us are important areas for us to focus on for the future," heexplained. Those four areas will be in teacher preparations, homeland security, sustainable living, and advancedmanufacturing. The new magnet school is expected to open next fall. The board also voted to fully implement

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Common Core standards. Dr. McIntyre says that will help students to learn critical thinking skills and allow teachersto go more in-depth on subjects.http://archive.wbir.com/rss/article/287100/2/Knox-BOE-approves-transferring-nearly-4M-to-magnet-school

OPINION

FrankCagle: WannaBuy a Carr?(Metro Pulse)Lamar Alexander can take some comfort in the fact that he did everything right, and everything he could, though itdidnt prevent him from getting a Republican primary opponent for his re-election campaign. Alexander did not getsurprised like his Senate colleague Richard Lugar, who was upset by a no-name candidate in the IndianaRepublican primary. Alexander recognized the threat early and started campaigning hard. He is in the process ofraising millions of dollars and having access to millions more, if necessary. He has vowed to use all that money fora shock-and-awe campaign against any potential challenger. He visited around and talked down some potentialcandidates and their potential contributors. He got Sen. Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite, to sorta, kinda endorsehim, or least hang out with him for photo ops. He has solicitedand gottenthe endorsement of virtually everymember of the Republican establishment. He released a poll, which predictably showed him with a comfortablelead against any potential candidate. Of course, Lugar had great poll numbers at the start of his primary against a

candidate no one had ever heard of. Alexander should be well ahead in polling at this point. The question iswhether it mattersthough it may give his opponents potential contributors pause.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/sep/04/wanna-buy-carr-alexander-tried-avoid-it-hes-going/

Editorial: NamingDorseyHopsonschoolssuperintendentwas a goodchoice(CA)The Shelby County Board of Educations decision to name Dorsey Hopson superintendent of Shelby CountySchools Tuesday was a good move. The only flaw in Hopsons appointment is that it should have been done in amore transparent manner. For such an important job, the school board should have allowed some public commentbefore making the decision. Hopson, the former general counsel of Memphis City Schools, was named interimsuperintendent of both the old city and county school districts earlier this year after the resignations of MemphisCity Schools Supt. Kriner Cash and Shelby County Schools Supt. John Aitken. He has done an admirable job inleading the extremely complicated budget and administrative processes involved in the merger of the MCS andSCS schools, which began classes Aug. 5. The transition has not been perfect, but Hopson and his leadershipteam have been transparent about the problems and are working to resolve them.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/05/editorial-naming-dorsey-hopson-schools-was-a-but/(SUB)

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Documents

Tennessee Daily News Clips, Sept. 5, 2013