Equity is still a local goal
Speaking of equity in Chattanooga, our school leaders are grappling with it again. Today.
After voting last month to accept private funding for a national consultant to help Hamilton County’s equity task force identify ways to seek ideal educational access for all students, schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson headed off increasing school board anger Thursday by obtaining a vote to slow down, but not stop, the consulting process.
“I want to focus on the word all. All is not bilateral. It’s not political,” Johnson told board members. “But I need to ask you, is closing the opportunity gap still a priority for you?”
In recent weeks, at least two board members had balked — one believing the effort is code for more racial integration and “forced” busing, while the other has said parents and “loving on” kids is the real key to bridging educational gaps.
On Thursday, however, the majority of the board still seemed to support Johnson’s effort to seek help, learn more and craft improvements. But the compromise didn’t come without some testy dialogue:
› Board member Rhonda Thurman: “I have a big problem with that [the consultants] because that says this body has been doing things purposefully to be inequitable to students … and that is not the case. … I really don’t want to bring in anyone to come in and tell us what to do.”
› Board member Tiffanie Robinson: “This board hasn’t done this work. This school system hasn’t done this work. If it did, 25 percent of our community wouldn’t have opted to go to private schools or to charter schools.”
› Board member Kathy Lennon: “If it means stepping outside and getting the perspective of other people, than that’s what we need to do.”
› Board chairman Steve Highlander: “From my understanding of equity, it is not merely a urban issue. … It’s not racial and not urban. It’s meeting the need of every child.”
› Board member Karitsa Mosley Jones: “In every area of our district there are pockets of inequities. … We have to do what is right by kids … and we can’t fix their home environments … but I know that we can do everything academically to know they are prepared.”
› Board member Joe Wingate: “Our charge is to provide opportunity, not to provide outcomes.”
› Board member Joe Testerman: “I do support my superintendent … I think the greatest thing he brought was the return to a focus on the way we prepare students for postsecondary. … We were educating kids, knowing we were not giving them everything they needed.”
› Board member Joe Smith: “I’m proud of our community and our business leaders and industry and how it’s stepped up.”