Rick Smith, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.Chattanooga Realtors today denounced the school rezoning plan proposed by Hamilton County Schools Supt. Rick Smith as "arbitrary" and "hastily prepared without public input."
In a letter to the school board and county leaders, the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors said the change in school districts between East Hamilton County and Ooltewah high schools could hurt property values for some homeowners.
The rezoning changes suggested by Smith to ease overcrowding of East Hamilton High won't work without a long term plan, the Realtors said in their letter.
"Without a long term solution, overcrowding will continue to plague these schools," the letter said. "We know that many of our clients select specific schools for their children first then look at neighborhoods zoned to those schools to purchase a home. Forcing a parent to change schools, or split their children between schools is difficult, disruptive and emotional."
The Realtors urged a more transparent and deliberative process for changing school lines.