Reporter’s Note
Do you think Hamilton County Schools need more funding? Are you a property owner who is concerned about rising taxes? What should be done to improve education in Chattanooga? We want to hear from you! Email me at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or give me a call at 423-757-6592.
– Meghan
THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
As the school year winds down, budget season fires up.
Last week, the Hamilton County Board of Education officially approved Superintendent Bryan Johnson’s $443 million budget proposal.
If approved by the Hamilton County Commission, this request in addition to Mayor Jim Coppinger’s own additional funding request, could result in a 49-cent property tax rate increase.
Some organizations and community leaders are speaking out in support of the need for additional funding. Others are not.
Today, Johnson and district leaders will present the proposal at a County Commission budget workshop for the first official time. The meeting is at 9 a.m. at the McDaniel Building on North Highland Park Avenue.
In other education news, last week saw a wealth of innovative, student-led competitions.
Students from area elementary schools competed in the 13th annual regional Elementary Science Olympiad at Chattanooga State Community College, Boyd Buchanan School hosted its 23rd annual Physics Boat Day Race and students raced electric go carts in the annual Chattanooga Green Prix.
Hamilton County’s Opportunity Zone celebrated excellent teachers last week at the end of Teacher Appreciation Week and Cleveland City Schools Director Russell Dyer was named Southeast Tennessee Superintendent of the Year.
For these stories and more, keep reading!