Hamilton County Superintendent Rick Smith slowly scanned the crowd gathered in Signal Mountain Middle/High School’s auditorium on Monday evening and told them what they already know.
“Only a couple other areas in Chattanooga have a community as engaged as Signal Mountain,” Smith said. “It’s a model of advocacy for public education in this town.”
Audience members nodded their heads in agreement as Smith shared his vision and plan to build Chattanooga into “the smartest city in the south.” This was the fourth of 11 similar meetings Smith is holding across the school district, as he works to rally support behind a 40-cent tax increase he’s proposed. Smith says the tax hike will provide the district with an additional $34 million in funding.
Meetings slated
Two more meetings are taking place this week: * Today, 6:30 p.m.: District 8, David Testerman, East Ridge Middle School * April 23, 6:30 p.m.: District 3, Greg Martin, Hixson High School
Smith’s proposed budget, which includes the additional revenue, sailed past the Hamilton County Board of Education last week with a 7-2 vote in favor. But the ultimate decision for the tax rate is left to the Hamilton County Commission.