A ROADMAP TO THE SMARTEST COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH
Four years ago, Chattanooga 2.0 set out to create a seamless connection between industry demand for a skilled workforce and a cradle-through-career education system that would adequately and equitably prepare residents to fill those jobs and lead productive lives.
Since then, we have seen changes in school administration, increased community engagement and higher student academic growth scores, bringing steady progress toward academic excellence and opportunity.
Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson’s proposed 2020 budget addresses the needs of our students and schools for continued growth, offering a dollar-by-dollar account to ensure every penny is spent strategically to yield the best results for our students now and in the future. These budget priorities align directly with those in the 2016 Chattanooga 2.0 report:
› Accelerating student achievement
Hamilton County students and families must have access to high-quality schools, regardless of income, language, background, neighborhood or ZIP Code. According to the most recent state Report Card, 37.6% of Hamilton County students are economically disadvantaged. That means those students are likely to struggle academically and need intensive supports.
To address these priority areas, the 2020 budget calls for additional school counselors and English as a Second Language and special needs teachers to meet state and federal requirements so that all students learn on an equal playing field and can achieve a fulfilling life after they complete their education.
› Future Ready students
The careers of today and tomorrow require new levels of creativity, collaboration and critical-thinking skills and a focus on technical trades and STEM pathways to meet industry demand. Johnson’s budget modernizes technology in classrooms, expands upon the Future Ready Institutes and adds five early post-secondary opportunities for every student.
These efforts directly affect Chattanooga 2.0’s metric to graduate 90% of high school students with a workforce credential or college credit, and ultimately, our goal to double the percentage of graduates from Hamilton County public schools who obtain a post-secondary degree or credential.
› Great teachers and leaders
Supporting great teachers and leaders in every school is a strategic priority of Chattanooga 2.0. By devoting 81% of its resources to people, 93% of whom are school-based personnel impacting our students and classrooms each day, Johnson’s budget helps advance this strategy.
The district is committed to ensuring that Hamilton County is a magnet for top teacher talent with supports in place to retain and develop these critical assets for our students and community.
› Engaged community
Chattanooga 2.0 began as a community discussion and continues as a coalition of active volunteers committed to bridging the opportunity gap in Hamilton County. Connecting parents, teachers, school leaders and the community remains vital to breaking barriers that prevent our most at-risk students from succeeding.
Johnson’s budget proposal provides these wrap-around supports by eliminating general school fees, increasing awareness of community school and parent involvement opportunities, and creating an office of innovation to better guide parent and student choice.
Hamilton County knows this is the priority for our community. We have done the research, had the community conversations and have the right people in the right places. Now, we are a community at a crossroads. Do we want a great public school system? Do we want a resilient, thriving economy?
If the answer is yes, now is the time to provide our school leaders with the support they need to do the job for which they were tasked. Johnson’s budget isn’t just numbers; it is a road map to provide all children in Hamilton County with the education they deserve and support our industries with a skilled workforce to accelerate our economic success. It is a road map to build the smartest community in the South. Let’s open the map and continue this critical journey.