For Immediate Release:
March 18, 2009

For more information, contact:
Amy Schwinge, (865) 982-6626 or amy@marybethwest.com
www.blounteducation.org

Blount Education Initiative to Hold News Conference April 2

New Proprietary Research Findings to Show Where Blount County Residents Stand on Education as Community Priority

WHO: Blount Education Initiative (BEI)

  • Established in 2008 with an organizational mission to make education Blount County‘s top priority
  • Press conference attendees:
    • Mark Cate, BEI board president (key presenter)
    • Bonny Millard, BEI executive director (emcee)
    • Brad Smith, executive director, Tennessee SCORE (a new statewide initiative to make education Tennessee’s top priority, chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist)
    • Invited attendees: 100-plus educators from all three Blount school systems (Blount County, Alcoa City, Maryville City) and local business / community leaders

WHAT: This news conference will release new, proprietary research findings about current education-related attitudes and opinions in Blount County.  BEI will also unveil 2009-2010 community outreach plans.

WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 2009, starting promptly at 4 p.m.
(Media requested to check in by 3:45 to ensure priority seating)

WHERE: Clayton Homes Corporate Office (5000 Clayton Road, Maryville, Tenn.)
Special event parking available in front of the building. Access the event via the main entrance.

WHY: To launch Blount County’s new grassroots effort (via the Blount Education Initiative) to make education the community’s top priority by 1) developing a sustained public awareness campaign focusing on the critical issues related to education, 2) supporting local schools in their efforts to provide a top-notch education for all students and 3) serving as a bridge between the educational community and businesses to develop meaningful collaborations.

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