This is the way Ball Camp looked about 20 minutes before the ribbon cutting ceremony. Preparations were orchestrated by Knox County School PR Agent in Charge Melissa Copelan.
Superintendent of Knox County Schools Dr. Jim McIntyre arrives and is talking with County Commissioner Jeff Ownby. While the Ball Camp School Board Member Thomas Deakins fields a last minute cell phone call.
Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones along with Knox County Mayor Chief of Staff Dean Rice look over the crowd and new building. Beginning Monday slow down in the school zones, Sheriff Jones guys and ladies of the Sheriff’s department will be looking for you.
Conley “Mr. Carter” Underwood was present at today’s ribbon cutting. Tonight the School Board will vote on whether to accept Mayor Burchett’s proposal to build a Carter Elementary School with out the school district having to commit any more dollars that $2.5 million, which was slated for Carter Elementary renovation.
The crowd of students, parents, community members of Ball Camp mixed in with elected officials and lots of media enjoy the sun on fresh asphalt.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim McIntyre makes a few remarks about the renovation and expansion of Ball Camp.
School Board Member Thomas Deakins, the elected representative for the Ball Camp community delivers a few remarks.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett shared a few comments before the ribbon cutting. As always, Mayor Burchett got the crowd laughing a couple of times.
Mayor Burchett, County Commissioner Jeff Ownby, School Board Chair Indya Kincannon, Mr. Deakins, Ball Camp Principal Dr. LaKisha Waters, Superintendent McIntyre, School Board Member Cindy Buttry and others cut the ribbon.
Thomas Deakins does a fist pump after the ribbon was cut. He was like a proud dad on his son’s base hit in a competitive little league game.
Always the gentleman Deakins takes the ribbon to put away. The students of Ball Camp will have a school building that will last for generations to come. 
