DON’T BOTHER THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH YOUR INPUT
There are no words to express how disappointing it is that the new Hamilton County Schools superintendent and all nine members of the Hamilton County Board of Education have so cowardly and arrogantly passed a $125 million school building and renovation plan with zero public input and zero public discussion.
It isn’t just disappointing. It’s a real head-scratcher.
The plan — one almost identical to a plan described in a Chattanooga Times Free Press story earlier this month that some school officials denied existed, while others claimed to have seen it complete with renderings — wasn’t even on the board meeting agenda Thursday.
But suddenly, there it was — being presented, voted on and approved. All in a matter of minutes and with no debate.
If you feel duped and slighted and incredulous, you’re not alone.
Here’s the thing: This is not really a bad plan. It’s not perfect, but it’s far more than we’ve seen for years and it’s a good start with, finally, a fast-tracked timeline.
That said, why strain public trust with a surprise and secretive plan clearly designed to thwart public input?
Superintendent Bryan Johnson, with the stated intent of most efficiently using $100 million allocated from the Hamilton County Commission and an additional $25 million from the district’s reserve fund, suggests building two new schools, merging two schools, moving one, reopening another as a magnet, building additions to two schools and making improvements to three others.
Under the plan: Tyner Middle and Tyner Academy would be merged to form Tyner Middle High. Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts will move to a renovated Tyner Middle School. East Hamilton Middle and Harrison Elementary schools will be replaced with new buildings. Howard Middle School, now closed, will be renovated and reopened as a magnet school to include students from overcrowded Clifton Hill and East Lake elementaries. Snow Hill Elementary will get an addition. Lookout Valley Elementary will get a new multipurpose room. The Center for Creative Arts will get a new HCAC system. Normal Park will get an elevator. A not-yet-determined school will get a renovated or new athletic facility.
Those are all needed improvements that few can quibble with, even though change is always tough.
A parent at the meeting — before the plan was presented — criticized the board for its lack of transparency, referencing the Times Free Press story about the plan school officials denied. So imagine that and other parents’ disgust when the plan was unveiled minutes later.
But not to worry: Board member Karitsa Jones cleared it all up.
“Just so that we understand, this information that we’re talking about today is the first time that we’ve all been together to talk about this,” she said. “No one hid anything from anybody.” Baloney!
The key phrase here was “first time that we’ve all been together to talk” about this. She didn’t say the board members individually hadn’t seen the plan.
Folks, Tennessee has a Sunshine Law for a reason. That reason is to keep things like this — the expenditure of your money and the public policy made by your government — from being hidden from you until its too late for you to have any input.
Again, we stress that this schools plan is not a bad one. And that fact is what makes this lack of transparency so stupefying.
But ask yourselves why the sales job starts now, and why (though it’s good that something is finally moving with our schools) the projects are set to begin construction or renovation in December — a few weeks from now.
Here’s a thought: Five of our nine school board seats are up for grabs in the August 2018 general election, and all nine county commissioner seats, along with the county mayor’s seat are up for primary election in May — just seven months from now.
Think of how those new school construction and addition signs will look in the ground.
“Site of the new … brought to you by …”
They never wanted to be bothered with your input. But they’ll sure want your vote.