Hamilton County school board debates pre-K expansion

Board votes 6-1 to approve two additional pre-K teacher positions, two assistant teacher positions

A plastic caddy of art supplies are at the center of each work table for pre-K through fifth graders work inside the new TVA STEAM learning room at Woodmore Elementary.
A plastic caddy of art supplies are at the center of each work table for pre-K through fifth graders work inside the new TVA STEAM learning room at Woodmore Elementary.
photo Rhonda Thurman

Approval of two new pre-K classes in Hamilton County came down to a philosophical debate about the importance of voluntary preschool at a school board meeting Thursday night.

The board voted 6-1 to approve two additional pre-K teacher positions and two assistant teacher positions, pending a state Department of Education grant, which will add a preschool class at Snow Hill Elementary and launch one at Alpine Crest Elementary.

The debate over the state-funded classrooms was led by District 1 board member Rhonda Thurman, who said she was concerned about preschool classrooms taking up space in already overcrowded classrooms and argued that educating children before kindergarten is not the job of the school district.

"I've noticed that some of the pre-Ks are in some of our schools that are overcrowded," Thurman said. "I guess really where I have a problem with this is pre-K is not our charge. And we keep going back to the taxpayers and asking them to pay for additions at some of these schools that are housing something that's not even our charge."

Currently for the 2019-20 school year, the district has 42 pre-K classrooms, but six of those classes are not housed in Hamilton County schools - two classes are in partnership with the Chambliss Center for Children, three classes at the Avondale Head Start Center and one class at the Cedar Hill Head Start Center.

The classrooms themselves are funded in a variety of ways, either through Title 1 federal funds, through the federal Head Start program, state funding or a collaboration of multiple funds. The programs also have varying income and eligibility requirements for students and families. The district also has self-funded sites at some schools, and some include preschool options for Hamilton County Schools staff.

photo Jenny Hill

But District 6 board member Jenny Hill challenged her colleague when Thurman claimed that the district doesn't know if preschool is beneficial for students.

"I've read a lot of reports that say that teachers can't tell the difference between the kids who have been in pre-K and those who haven't by the time they get to Christmas of their first grade," Thurman said. "Is there any proof whatsoever that this helps them academically?"

"Is the real issue at hand the actual usage of the building?" Hill asked her. "Philosophically, I'm hearing you say you are opposed to pre-K participation and certainly expansion within our system. ... The reality is the budget is there."

"I have found there is a tremendous amount of false information out in our world and in particular in our country. I want to go on record and say that to imply in the year 2019 that we are being irresponsible with taxpayer money because we are providing pre-K that is funded with a separate budget is disingenuous. It is false. We are being incredibly responsible with what we have been charged with. ... While Mrs. Thurman, you might disagree with the idea of pre-K, we are being good citizens and I don't plan to sit and hear a false narrative anymore," Hill added.

Experts recommend that students have certain skills and abilities upon starting kindergarten, which are learned in child care or pre-K classrooms, but research shows that only about 42% of Hamilton County students entering kindergarten are deemed ready.

Preschool spots in public schools have historically been limited and coveted by parents as childcare costs have steadily increased in recent years. Public school districts are legally required to provide some special education services to students with disabilities, beginning at age 3. Those services are part of the district's preschool programs.

The additional programs were approved despite the debate. Two board members, District 4's Tiffanie Robinson and District 5's Karitsa Mosley Jones, were absent from Thursday's meeting.

Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

Hamilton County pre-Kindergarten Sites for 2019-20

State/Title 1 funded sites:Battle AcademyBrown International Academy (2 classes)East Brainerd ElementaryEast Lake Elementary (2 classes)Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology (2 classes)Lookout Valley ElementaryNorth Hamilton ElementaryOrchard Knob ElementaryRed Bank ElementaryTitle 1 funded sites:Hardy Elementary (2 classes)Hillcrest Elementary (2 classes)Rivermont Elementary (2 classes)Woodmore ElementaryState and Head Start collaboration sites:Avondale Head Start Center (3 classes)Cedar Hill Head Start CenterEast Brainerd ElementaryEast Ridge ElementaryMiddle Valley ElementaryOrchard Knob ElementaryWoodmore ElementaryState funded sites:Chambliss Center for Children (2 classes)Daisy ElementaryCalvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy (2 classes)East Ridge ElementaryMiddle Valley ElementaryOoltewah Elementary (2 classes)Snow Hill ElementarySoddy ElementarySpring Creek ElementaryWolftever Creek Elementary (2 classes)

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