She forgot the school system actually belongs to the parents and the children who utilize it and the superstructure called the board of education or the administration is there to serve the students and there families, not the other way around. This is a common problem in our local government and it's not a good time to take the incorrect position. Many great educators have left the classrooms and the halls of our school systems for the comfortable confines of the central office, only to lose touch with what their greatest successes were. Perhaps the next time a group of parents come to the administration with a concern, there will be more attention given to the parents and the students and the administration line and attitude that "it's our school system" will just go away.

When Donna Wright ignored the parents looking to move the school start date back to the latter part of August, she essentially alienated a few thousand families that she didn't think were paying attention.

Bad call.

We need fresh air in our central office and somebody who realizes what is important and more importantly, what is not important.

Knox County Schools.

The West High turnaround was wonderful. The AP classes were fantastic, school spirit was high - reflected in the achievements of the sports teams - and parent involvement was very positive. We began to get significant transfers from Webb. She will always have my respect and admiration.

Academics and school spirit trump the school calendar.

What do former student being gunned down by student teacher's husband involving affair which originated at school; ROTC teacher accused of having co-eds run naked through the gym in exchange for alcohol, possible cover-up, and a chorus teacher inexplicably walks off the job amid allegations of improper stuff?

West High School

Turn arounds like that we do not need.

We need a fresh set of ideas and a better way of sustaining progress in our local school system.

In fairness to Mr. Binggeli (note spelling), he apparently had already committed to be at the interview in Myrtle Beach. To say that he simply can't commit to show back up for a second interview is ignoring a prior commitment he made. Kinda unfair.

We'll always have incidents that no one supports in institutions that involve 50+ thousand students and 5+ thousand staff. The management challenge is to handle them and move on.

Donna is a strong leader with respect for the people and traditions of Knox County Schools. Somebody from the outside has no investment here.

For my two cents, the debate shouldn't be whether school starts in August or September. It should be whether we hold school 180 days or more of the 260 Mondays through Fridays available. -- s.

Yes, it's Binggeli -- unintentional misspelling. -- s.

In last night's interview, Donna Wright's answer to how she handles challenges or adversity was "I listen, then I listen some more." I just about fell off my chair with laughter. Perhaps she listens to her important business and media friends and high level colleagues, but certainly not us lowly parents. It's not about school calendars, it's about offending many, many people by minimizing their concerns and not listening at all.

As for West High School, she again fails to give any credit to the many dedicated parents who had as much or more to do with the "turnaround" as she did.

Hey, I haven't heard of anyone blown up by Northern Ireland in years. So there you go! -- s.

I'm extremely disappointed that Wright is not in the top 3!!! I also am wondering why is a guy from Boston wanting to come to Knoxville unless maybe the weather is getting to him. From this, to the Bottle Bill, to the smoking laws etc, I'm thinking of getting one of those bumper stickers that says, "I don't care how you do it up North," and I never thought I'd say that. Anyway, I hope the school board makes a good choice this time.....