The county schools are making plans to set up an Innovation Zone (iZone) to lend special help to high priority schools.
Administrator Robert Sharpe said the new zone "is the result of a competitive grant process to provide funding for high priority schools in Tennessee. The iZone will serve as the catalyst for the development, implementation, support, and monitoring of turnaround initiatives in the district’s high priority schools.
"The iZone office will serve as a centralized hub of support for the SIG II Cohort schools by providing professional development, support for innovative strategies, management of resources, analysis of data and alignment of curriculum, and the development of a positive school and community culture. The iZone will be led by a director with the assistance from a data analyst, and administrative assistant.
"The iZone will operate with autonomy, supported by HCDE and the Hamilton County Board of Education. With this renewed governance, the schools will have an opportunity to make dramatic changes by providing operating flexibility to implement school improvement initiatives."
Schools to be served are Brainerd High, Dalewood Middle, Woodmore Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle and Orchard Knob Elementary.