Commissioners set new meeting with school board

Thursday, February 24, 2011

photo Members of the Hamilton County Commission meet with members of the Hamilton County School Board on Monday. Staff Photo by John Rawlston

Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey attempted to set a new tone as he and commissioners set a new meeting date with Board of Education members to smooth over differences about who should control tax money designated for schools.

School board members and commissioners plan to meet on March 15 at 5 p.m., but a location has not been set. Commissioners and school board members on Valentine's Day attempted to settle a disagreement over who should control money from Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreements. That meeting was contentious and the issue remains unresolved.

Mackey had read into the record a letter he sent schools Superintendent Jim Scales which he described as civil in nature. Mackey and other commissioners stressed that they want to move past the back-and-forth argument with the school board.

"We look simply to get away from this drama and act like civilized beings," Mackey said. "I do want to create a climate where businesses will feel comfortable coming into Hamilton County."

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.