Two incumbents were beaten for reelection to the Knox County Board of Education on May 5, 2026, according to unofficial returns from the Knox County Election Commission. And with Betsy Henderson’s win in the Republican primary for county mayor, at least three incumbents will leave the nine-member board.
Not sure how long this link will be up, but it’s my favorite for election results.
John Butler
District 1 – Incumbent Dr. John Butler, 66, a clergyman, lost the Democratic primary to newcomer Breyauna Holloway, 41, who will face Republican Charles Frazier, 71, in August. Holloway is a business owner who has five children either in or graduated from District 1 schools.
Butler served only one term, but put in the time even before his election to build relationships with board members and school staff to reach a goal – construction of a new K-8 (kindergarten through middle school) school on the site of the old Rule High School. Kids on the west side of District 1 are now zoned to Bearden Middle, on Francis Road near West Hills — too far to walk. And the elementary schools are functionally obsolete. The new school will result in closure of Beaumont Magnet Academy and Maynard Elementary. Also, West View Elementary will be converted into a standalone preschool.
The new school, now in design phase, will accommodate 1,000 K-5 kids and 600 6-8-graders. It’s been needed for a long, long time. Butler got it. Frazier or Holloway will cut the ribbon.
District 4 – Incumbent Katherine Bike was unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face GOP nominee Ashley Sartelle in August.
District 6 – Lee Ann Eaves, a conservative activist, won the seat currently held by Betsy Henderson. She will face Democratic nominee Cadence Collins in August.
District 7 – Incumbent Steve Triplett was unopposed in the GOP primary; he will face Democratic nominee Amy Fenner in August.
District 9 – Board chair Kristi Kristy lost by 65 votes to newcomer Bill Sofield (1,961 to 2.026 in the Republican primary). Sofield will face Democrat Brandy Jenkins in August.
A key issue in August will be support or opposition to school vouchers – public funds to private schools. We will flesh out this issue, along with other aims of these candidates before the general election.
Y’all come back tomorrow for my take on the other races in Let’s Talk Leaders.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter.
Since Covid was mentioned, I have to applaud Mrs. Henderson for opening the schools, since from day one it was well documented that young people had very little risk. (Until the shots) And it was determined that masks did very little to “stop the spread”. And with indictments now coming against the Fauci group for misleading statements and concealing data from Congress, (including the fact that Fauci’s NIH actually funded the gain of function research at the Wuhan lab) I have zero respect or confidence in the “World Court” or WHO. Meanwhile the spike protein still rages in many individuals. “Long Covid”. Yeah.
Antwan: As I recall, Knox County Schools were among the last to reopen because Henderson and allies insisted that Knox County sue somebody and the mess got tied up in court. Perhaps “bless our hearts” Sherri G (comments below) can clarify this point.
Sweetie, y’all, bless your hearts. The mayor and the commission cannot touch the school budget, unless state law changes. They can refuse to give them more than the maintenance of effort, but they cannot, by law, tell the school system how they can spend that money. You want public education funded better? Look to the state and the school board. Better yet, look at KCS administration. What are all those “assistant” superintendants doing?
Exactly. You could cut a third of the jobs over there and never know the difference. Give me two individuals that really work and get rid of 4 that don’t. They are “Riding the clock”. Like those slow footed workers at Home Depot. 1 nail at a time. Unfortunately, the School Board are getting a pension too. (Out of the budget BTW) Some are double/triple dipping.
Sherri G: Not sure what part of my column you are challenging. My main point about vouchers is that sending public money to private schools will ultimately reduce state funds available to public schools. The county mayor and commission have nothing to do with this — it’s purely the governor and legislature. I suspect the assistant superintendents are coordinating the executive directors and academic coaches.
Good luck trying to keep public schools open OR paying a living wage. Henderson is writing the budget. Anyone willing to sacrifice and kill children to advance a political agenda is not to be trusted with the public welfare.
Bob: Recent report showed Tennessee dead last in public funding for education. We can’t get much lower than last.
I’ve come in last before. She’s quit. She’s a loser who doesn’t know what she’s doing and the fact that her character indicates her lack of ethics and integrity should have disqualified her from public service. Thank God my children have left the County. No telling what kind of ignorant, inbred education system Henderson will turn us into. I wonder how many Addie Gravitzes she will deliberately murder to establish her political agenda this time? What they did to our schools with covid has been classified as a war crime by the world court, and Sweden has already been brought forth to face them. When are we going to charge Henderson, Jacobs, Daniel aqnd Ward for masterminding the crime? Are we just going to turn them loose and let them kill agaqn?
Bob: I didn’t approve this post for publication, yet here it is. These are harsh charges to levy against Mrs. Henderson who has done nothing more than support a policy (reopening schools during Covid pandemic and letting kids and teachers attend without wearing masks as recommended by scientists) that you and I disagreed with. I don’t support your character slurs. Let’s give her a chance (at least a day or two) before jumping on her.
There can’t be that many people planning to put their kids in private schools! What do these voters think they’re doing, voting for candidates who favor taking money away from public education?
Betsy: They are all-in for parental choice. Some think public schools are failing; others want a “business model.” Some have been calling them “government schools” since the 1980s and favor out-right indoctrination on “Christian values.” I’m surprised at how many public schools teachers and principals send their kids to private schools.
Kristi Kristy. On a first name basis with everyone. Rare, but; I knew a fellow named Anthony Tony. When his Mother was peeved at him she would yell- Tony Tony! I’m giving the Conservative Activist my vote. We have plenty of the other variety.
Antwan: Trading the conservative activist for Henderson is a wash. What you’ve gotta look at are the other races — trading Kristy for the more conservative Sofield, for example. Used to we had a school board that would rage against the county commission and mayor, wanting more money for kids and teachers. Sometime during the reign of Burchett we started having a private chat between the mayor and superintendent with the school board taking what the mayor offered. No more fights. Elect enough conservative activists and we might have the school board asking for LESS MONEY. Lucky for them, with Mayor Henderson that won’t be a hard ask.