At Monday’s Knoxville School Board meeting the board approved a contract for Carolyn Jones as the new Panther Academy Coach, for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Panther Academy is a new program which was approved for students who struggle within a normal school setting. The Panther Academy will be taught by a teacher from the Knoxville staff at the high school level.

The program used by Knoxville prior to the Panther Academy was Iowa Net High, but there was dissatisfaction with what the students received in the online program.

Craig Mobley, Knoxville Business Manager tells KNIA/KRLS News about the change, “We had partnered with Iowa Net High to offer an online learning environment. However, just based on a few concerns with that program and the thought process, you know, maybe we can do something that’s more in-house and accomplish the same thing, but make it a better program.”

Panther Academy will offer students interaction with the teacher selected to oversee the program at least twice a week. The Panther Academy program will increase accountability and communication between teacher and student.