The Innovation Academy of Northeast Tennessee is expected to open in August inside the former Brookside Elementary building in Kingsport. The Board of Education has approved the contract between Sullivan County Schools and Kingsport City Schools to operate the school. A new board will be formed to govern the school and expenses. Well over 300 sixth and seventh grade students have applied to attend the new stem school and others have until June first to apply but a lottery not academic requirements will determine who gets to go. The two school districts are in the process of hiring a principal for the new school. five applicants have been chosen from a total of fifteen. They will also hire eight teachers with four from county schools and four from Kingsport schools. (bg)