Got a question or complaint about Knox County Schools?
A new office could be your answer.
Tammi Campbell, a one-woman office of ombudsman for the school district, has been on the job since March 27. The ombudsman is an independent party who identifies opportunities for service improvements and serves as a resource for families, employees and community to resolve issues, concerns and complaints through education and mediation, she said.
That’s a mouthful.
“I work for everyone,” she said.
To date, she’s handled 40 inquiries ranging from transfers and transportation to KCS staff concerns, IEP support, discipline options and transgender facility access. Campbell starts by listening. She takes notes and researches questions within the administration.
“I’m another resource to resolve problems.”
The position was created out of the task force on disparities in education which studied academics and discipline within KCS and produced 28 recommendations for change (available for viewing at knoxschools.org). The task force examined, for instance, whether KCS suspended racial minorities, poor kids or those with special needs at a higher rate than their peers. (Quick answer: Yes.)
Campbell expects more calls as her role becomes better known. She’s working with the public affairs staff to create an online method of filing ombudsman requests. She will take complaints anonymously, but says that limits her ability to ensure that problems have been solved.
Sue Ownby
Campbell does not deal with legal issues, and she refers calls on special education to a colleague, Sue Ownby.
“Sometimes people just need to be heard,” she said. “I can act in the middle ground to bring closure to an issue. … I work to balance school policy with family concerns. We try to create as many win-win situations as we can.”
If she can’t fix a problem, at least she can explain why not.
Campbell’s background makes her well-suited for her new role.
She was a parent of a child with special needs who recently completed Knox County Schools.
She worked as an assistant principal at Hardin Valley Academy and Austin-East High School. She was a part of the Leadership Academy in 2011.
Previously, she worked as a training specialist for KCDC, and was a trainer and customer service representative for Cigna Healthcare and State Farm Insurance. She joined KCS in 2002, working with Project Grad for seven years before becoming a school counselor.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Clark Atlanta University, a master’s in education from Tusculum College, a master’s in school counseling and an educational specialist degree in administration supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Reach Tammi Campbell at 865-594-1192 or ombudsman@knoxschools.org.
For help with special education issues, Sue Ownby is the parent liaison/ombudsman. She’s available at 865-594-1538.