A mention of the Hamilton County Schools' swollen fund balance by Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham at Tuesday's schools budget hearing may have been all it took.
Perhaps taking the clue, the Hamilton County Board of Education voted Thursday to use nearly $1 million from that balance to repair or replace seven high school football stadiums across the county.
Graham, in the budget hearing in which interim Superintendent Dr. Kirk Kelly asked that the county increase its funding to schools by $24 million for fiscal 2017, suggested the district take a hard look at its fund balance to pay for at least some of its maintenance issues. Two school board members were in attendance at the time.
It was sound advice, especially if the interim superintendent and the school board are of a mind - as they should be - to shore up the system before the hiring of a new superintendent.
The board previously said it had no sole obligation to repair stadiums, but its lack of interest had become glaring as safety issues grew from one condemned stadium at East Ridge High School to two more (Howard and Tyner) that needed replacing and four more (Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, Hixson, Lookout Valley and Ooltewah) that needed repairing.
The move also should induce Mayor Jim Coppinger and Hamilton County commissioners to see a willingness on the part of the school board to help itself. In turn, the mayor and commissioners may take a harder look at an increased education budget or a potential call for a tax increase for schools.
Although a majority of commissioners signaled Tuesday that they wouldn't vote for a property tax increase for schools, the mayor hasn't suggested one yet. But given the school board's wallet-opening gesture and if a tax was low and targeted, might one or two members change their mind?
The last tax increase specifically targeted for schools was 11 years ago, and a second increase two years later went to county general revenues but did include money to replace two schools.
As the vote on stadiums unfolded, school board member Steve Highlander maintained the money should not signal that the board believes sports are a priority over academics.
It's a shame he felt he had to say that, but board members have been targets in the last year over low student test scores, the district's handling of an Ooltewah rape case, and the departure and hiring of the former superintendent and current interim superintendent.
We believe board members always want what's best for students, but we're hopeful Thursday's move is the beginning of new cooperation between the board and its funding agent, the Hamilton County Commission.