Blount County school districts outperformed the statewide average in the latest Tennessee Department of Education School Report Card, released in late January.
But the scores are calculated using a formula that requires context to fully understand, said Maryville City Schools Director Mike Winstead.
The results also carry economic implications for Blount County, said Jessica Belitz, director of workforce development for the Blount Partnership.
The overall state achievement rate reflects the percentage of students whose scores met or exceeded expectations on state assessments in English language arts, math, science and social studies.
In this category, local school districts exceeded the statewide average of 41.8%, with one exception: Blount County Schools’ grades 6–8, which posted a score of 39.5%.
Winstead noted that not every student begins at the same starting point, making growth scores an equally important measure. Growth is rated on a scale of one to five and reflects student progress in ELA and math using the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System.
Districts posted mixed results in growth scores.
For Blount County Director of Schools Justin Ridge, the data provides a tool for administrators and educators to make targeted adjustments — from districtwide strategies down to individual student interventions.
“Once you know what skills students are missing, or what you as a teacher didn’t do well collectively in the classroom that year, you make adjustments,” Ridge said. “We’re also trying to fill skill gaps with our response to intervention because it’s not just that year’s grade-level work they’re responsible for. They have to know the building blocks as well.”
While school budgets funded by county and city property taxes may account for some variation in outcomes, each Blount County school district spends similar amounts per student.
According to the Tennessee Department of Education’s 2024–25 Per Pupil Expenditure Report, Blount County Schools spent $12,930.96 per student. Alcoa City Schools spent $14,621.02, and Maryville City Schools spent $11,837.41.
Blount County residents currently pay $1.59 per $100 of assessed property value in property taxes, according to Blount County Trustee Scott Graves. Of that revenue, 41.55% goes directly to schools. An additional 13.25% supports county debt, more than 95% of which is education-related, according to the trustee’s office.
Each city also levies its own property tax. Alcoa taxpayers pay $1.69 per $100 of assessed value, while Maryville taxpayers pay $1.50.
At the state level, the 2026–27 Tennessee budget allocates $337.2 million to statewide public education — the largest funding category in the budget. TennCare ranks second at $229.7 million.
Combined city, county, state and federal funding makes up total school district budgets.
Belitz said this investment in education translates into economic opportunity through higher wages, increased tax revenue and business growth.
“We need a prepared, skilled, educated workforce to attract business and maintain a vibrant economy,” she said. “That all starts with education.”
Early education has long played a role in workforce development. In 1995, Dolly Parton launched the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library in Sevier County to provide free books to children under age 5. The program has since distributed nearly 200 million books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Still, Belitz said Blount County lacks sufficient state-funded prekindergarten slots to meet community demand.
She referenced the Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee Act of 2005, which initially provided $25 million in lottery funds. The program has grown to more than $113 million annually and serves approximately 18,000 students statewide, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.
Beyond early literacy, the goal is to prepare students for diverse career paths, including college, skilled trades, industry and military service, Belitz said.
“We know that when students get opportunities to work with businesses like Prisma, Danny Davis Electric or Blackberry Farm, they’re learning those skills early,” she said. “That makes them more employable and increases opportunities for higher wages and better jobs.”
She added that early career exposure also improves the likelihood that graduates remain in the community.
To identify workforce needs, the Blount Partnership analyzes data, meets with employers and collaborates with educators, Belitz said.
One recent example is the launch of aviation education programs at Alcoa High School and Pellissippi State Community College.
Leaders at Cirrus, StandardAero and Delta Air Lines’ regional carrier Endeavor Air have struggled to recruit qualified mechanics and pilots, Belitz said, prompting the launch of Pellissippi State’s Aviation Technology program at its Blount County campus last year.
The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree provides hands-on training in aviation electronics, aircraft structures and mechanical systems, with a focus on aviation maintenance technician training, according to Pellissippi State.
The first cohort of 18 students began last fall, with an initial plan to start a second cohort in fall 2026, said program director Jesse Martin. Due to strong interest, a second cohort of 14 students began in January.
“I’m actively communicating with 55 prospective students,” Martin said, adding that more than 570 people have submitted interest forms.
Pellissippi State is now considering launching two cohorts in fall 2026 to meet demand.
Alcoa High School also introduced a specialized aviation program last year that allows students in grades 11–12 to earn a private pilot’s license. The program is funded through Tennessee Department of Transportation and federal grants that cover most training and licensing costs, said Patty Thomas, federal programs director for Alcoa City Schools.
Five students have completed the program, five are currently enrolled, and three have already earned their licenses.
Local aviation businesses have donated funding and resources to support both programs, Belitz said. Similar high school and college programs in health care, hospitality and construction trades are planned.
Winstead said he cannot speak for all districts but believes he understands the ingredients for student success.
“If we sum it all up, the reason Maryville is doing so well is you’ve got great kids from supportive homes in well-funded schools with experienced, happy teachers,” he said. “That’s the magic formula.” υ
