If we all think in these terms we are doomed as a region. Blount, Knox, Sevier...we're all connected. Going to a retreat in Townsend is hardly an act of disloyalty to local businesses. An occasional retreat, a lunch honoring teachers...those are part of the normal functions of any organization. An occasional pat on the back for people doing a good job often results in loyalty and increased productivity.

I do think there are questions with school budget...but the state of Tennessee has a system where the Board makes requests, but the Commission decides funding levels. Bad setup...and it means Board members are crazy to eliminate much. Why create losers? Ask for the moon and do the hard work when the level is set.

Is that a good technique? No. But it's how it works in Tennessee.

Let's say, theoretically, that any sort of retreat or luncheon honoring teachers is a bad thing and should be axed from the budget (I disagree with that, but let's just say). Let's also say that doing away with all luncheons, retreats, and similar activities takes a million dollars out of the spending plan. Hardly likely, but let's pretend. What other 38 million dollars worth of school spending do you want to cut?
I would cut out all athletics other than PE classes, but I doubt that would come to 38 million and I also doubt that the rest of Knox County would agree with me.
I have no children in the public schools - or anywhere - and would not mind paying higher taxes to support better schools. Tennessee is already towards the bottom of the barrel when it comes to per-pupil spending on a national scale, isn't it?

Food spending in schools is mostly offset by other funding sources, but gasoline for buses and the price TVA is charging for electricity have gone up 10 percent or more this year. The money's got to come from somewhere. Not to mention that everyone who works for the schools has to pay for the same higher costs in their own lives, so some sort of raise (though it will probably be well less than the 4-5 percent that the overall CPR went up) is necessary. Add in a growing number of students, and a new high school to staff and run, and $39 million seems like they've done a good job of squeezing the increase as hard as they could.