By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE - A policy change that would increase the number of final exams required at the end of each semester for high schoolers and implement final exams for each middle school class came under scrutiny at Thursday's Hawkins County Board of Education meeting.
     Board member Perry Dykes questioned why the change was being considered.
    "I've got two middle school daughters and they're tested to death," Dykes said. "I'm still not clear on what we're trying to accomplish."
    Director of Schools Charlotte Britton explained one goal of the change is to help students retain what they learn.
    Britton said she was under the impression the principals at Cherokee and Volunteer High Schools supported the change, although Dykes said they had told him they did not favor the change and suggested they might be "afraid" to give their opinion to Britton.
    The board will hold a workshop on the change at 4:30 p.m. June 29  and will reconvene at 5:30 for a vote. There will also be a budget workshop following the reconvened meeting.