Sullivan County School Board voted to close Innovation Academy, the only STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) school in Sullivan County. Innovation Academy takes a hands-on, project-based alternative approach to traditional classroom learning - suited to those students that are engineering minded, squirrelly inquisitors, or who struggle to focus in a traditional classroom settings. 

Innovation Academy held the highest middle school test scores in their district! The budget for Innovation Academy was $425.852 ($350k for 5 teachers, and $75,852 for 2 buses). It was housed within Sullivan Central Middle School, sharing administrative, food services, maintenance, and utilities. 

Parent of students at Innovation Academy were given no warning of the closure or time to rally community support and apply for grants. Several parents and students spoke out on behalf of their support for Innovation Academy at a school board meeting prior to the end of school based on only rumors. When they realized that Innovation Academy was not even on the agenda, they dropped their guard and it was cut at the next meeting.

Due to Covid protocols through most of the year, there were fewer opportunities for parents to engage and create a network to communicate and make each other aware. Very few parents were even aware of the rumors (as teachers were not allowed to inform the students or parents), much less the closure - many finding out while on summer vacation. There still has been no official notification to the parents.

Why keep Innovation Academy open?

1. 3.5 MILLION STEM  jobs will need to be filled by 2025. Millions of STEM jobs are predicated to go unfilled.
2. The median hourly STEM wage is $38.85. With the exception of military and college, 37% of people never live outside their home town; 57% never live outside their state. Let’s get our wages up and keep it here!!
3. Parents and local organizations should be given the opportunity to help provide funding ahead of any closure consideration!!
4. Many parents with children currently attending Innovation Academy are considering home schooling or attending schools outside of the district, should the closure stand. The district will lose funding for those students, negating predicted savings!
5. Teachers from Innovation Academy are being reallocated within the district - so that money will still be spent!
6. We have many STEM-heavy corporations located here in Kingsport - with Eastman being a prime example. Many of these corporations provide grants and community support. These companies will not commit to helping unless the vote is reversed, as they can not go against publicly elected official’s votes.  Give us a chance to apply for funding!! 
7. Non-traditional students have found their equals, their support, their way of learning, and their home at Innovation Academy!! They are realizing their value and their future potential at Innovation Academy!! Let’s support this amazing resource Innovation Academy is providing our community and stand up for our children - today and tomorrows future! REVERSE THE CLOSURE!!