Welch favored in District 2
We are writing to ask our friends in District 2 to join us in voting to re-elect Jonathan Welch.
Jonathan is a proven leader who is focused on what is best for all students. As our system moves forward, we need the continuity and commitment Jonathan Welch brings day in and day out as District 2's representative on the school board.
Annie and Jim Hall
Signal Mountain
Thurman needed now more than ever
Why I want to keep Rhonda Thurman as my school board member: She has always been honest with the people in District 1. She is qualified, intelligent, logical-thinking and opinionated.
I do not know anyone more prepared at a board meeting than Rhonda. She does her homework, is not afraid, and would rather be right and stand alone. One vote cannot make changes, but it is not a rubber stamp to just go along.
She listens to people and has students' and teachers' best interest. She is tough and has big shoulders; she catches the false statements and addresses them. If you have a question or complaint, give her a call or email her. She will give an honest answer.
I hear Rhonda is against teachers. That could not be more wrong. She just voted for a 2 percent raise across the board and a $250 bonus. She may not have voted for the budget, but with good reason. Most people never show up at board meetings, do not get involved and do not know that is happening. This is why I will vote for Rhonda. We do not need a change.
Hazel Ewton
Sale Creek
Elect four new board members
Leadership and accountability matter, and in the absence of these qualities, institutions, businesses and governments can fail.
We have a perfect example of failed leadership and lack of accountability in the Hamilton County school board.
A few facts: Nearly 60 percent of all Hamilton County School third-graders cannot read on grade level. In Algebra 1, our school system was ranked in the bottom 10 of 141 school districts. Thirteen of our 17 high schools have an average ACT score below the state average of 19.3. Four of our high schools have an ACT average below 16. Sixty-six percent of freshman enrolled at Chattanooga State must take remedial classes.
The upcoming school board election offers voters in Districts 1, 2, 4 and 7 the opportunity to hold their current school board representatives accountable for these results.
We cannot continue to re-elect the same folks and expect different results. I urge the voters in District 1 to vote for Patti Skates, District 2 for Kathy Lennon, District 4 for Tiffanie Robinson and District 7 for Joe Wingate.
Let's start down the road of making Hamilton County Schools great by electing four new school board members.
Paul K. Brock Jr.