As early voting begins, Evetty Satterfield campaigns outside a polling place at the Love Kitchen. She, along with Dametraus Jaggers and Andre Canty, are running for a seat on the Knox County Board of Education representing District 1.
The current seatholder, Gloria Deathridge, will not be seeking reelection at the end of her term.
The three candidates are opposed to proposed budget cuts to magnet programs that would affect five schools in District 1.
The Board of Education voted to postpone the vote on KCS Superintendent Bob Thomas' proposed budget until April 30. The proposed budget has gathered some controversy as it cuts spending to magnet schools and similar programs.
As a graduate of Austin-East and Project GRAD, Satterfield says she understands the importance of college-ready programs, like Project GRAD, and magnet schools.
"Most of our students in this district are first generation college students," Satterfield said. "I'm a first generation college student, there's things that we simply do not know. We need somebody there to support and to lean on. Reading is important, college-going culture is important and magnet schools are important. So we need to find a way to keep it all."
Jaggers has two kids of his own in the school system. He agrees that cutting the budget is not the right way to go, adding leadership is about making tough decisions, but cutting magnet and Project GRAD programs is the wrong one.
"Not because we don't respect the relationship we have with them, but because that's what our teachers need, that's what our students need; to be supported and properly resourced," Jaggers said.
Canty agreed with his fellow candidates.
"There are innovative ways to tackle literacy without sacrificing programs that benefit students in District 1," he said. "I ask for the board to consider revising the budget to reflect a priority to all of our students based off the Every Student Succeeds Act and in the future allow for teachers, students, and parents to be part of the decision making other than board meetings."