Tom Decosimo offers disciplined leadership

I have read that UTC did a study and found that only 32% +/- of graduating HCDE students are ready for higher education (UTC study in Dec. 2019), and a measure of the remaining 68% are functionally illiterate. That is pathetic.

If this is a small fractional reflection on the state of our national education system, it explains an awful lot about what is going on these days.

If the report is accurate, it is reasonable to conclude that what we are doing isn’t working. Further, [that] three out of 10 are qualified to attend Chattanooga State without remedial help is absolute failure.

I do know that if you want to get somewhere as a HCDE student, you certainly can for the fruit is low hanging and free. All you need is a little gumption. However, for those 15-year-olds who are highly distracted like I was, you’re one of the seven with a head start on failure in life. Unacceptable.

While all board members and candidates for the school board deserve heaping applause, the status quo thinking needs to evaporate. I believe we need enforceable rules in the classroom and, yes, adjustment of our top-heavy system. Mid-level administrator (hall monitors) salaries being twice that of the math teacher is ridiculous. We need a new direction.

Tom Decosimo is a disciplined, patient, good man with a big heart. He will bring fiscally reasoned, intelligent and steady compassion to the Board of Education. I firmly believe that a District 2 vote for Tom Decosimo this Aug. 6 is a vital next step in a new, correct, direction. Savage Glascock Sr.

Signal Mountain