Early voting in Hamilton County begins July 15, and there are two candidates on the ballot vying for District 2 School Board representative. Early voting ends July 30.
District 2 comprises Alpine Crest, Nolan, Red Bank, Thrasher and Rivermont Elementary schools, Red Bank Middle School, Red Bank High School and Signal Mountain Middle/High School.
The candidates, Kathy Lennon and incumbent board Chairman Jonathan Welch, attended a recent debate organized by UnifiED, a community-led movement focused on giving every student in Chattanooga the chance to attend great public schools.
Lennon told attendees she was a teacher and administrator for 25 years, and her husband, John Lennon, teaches at SMMHS and coaches at Central High School. She said she oversaw the renovation of the former St. Barnabas into Chattanooga WorkSpace, where she now manages more than 50 artists.
Welch, who has served on the school board for the past four years and spent the past year as its chairman, is a dentist in private practice on Signal Mountain. During his time on the board, he said he has spearheaded litigation with the state over lack of funding and not following its own laws, and has also developed a partnership with Erlanger to provide health care in several schools.
In response to a question from moderator Alison Lebovitz on how he plans to handle the search process for a new superintendent, Welch said the board has identified a search firm, and its policy requires it get feedback from all nine districts.
“First we need to look at the job description and see if that aligns with what the community wants,” said Welch, who personally wants to see the job go to someone who understands school culture, has good communication skills and who could help the system’s culture change appropriately.
“We’ve been so top-down in the system for so long, we’ve killed creative development and parents feel like they don’t have a voice,” he said.
Lennon said a nationwide search should be conducted to get the best candidates, and community forums and advisory councils should be set up to get public feedback.
“We need to have a clear vision of what we’re looking for and what we want,” she said. “I think that’s going to look different from district to district.”
Lennon said she believes the superintendent should be a strong leader and innovator, possess a diverse background, and be able to work with school board members.
As to what she would do to ensure the district attracts and retains talented teachers, she said Hamilton County needs to raise its pay to match that of other districts and start the hiring process earlier in the school year.
“I think we have to show support to the teachers and make them feel like what they do is valued and important,” said Lennon. “Teachers need access to the best training and tools to be successful in the classroom.”
Welch said he also believes increasing pay is important, because compensation for teachers in Hamilton County is low compared to other districts in the state, including neighboring Rhea and Bradley counties. He said giving teachers the ability to have autonomy is essential, as is getting feedback from teachers who leave, on why they are leaving.
In response to a question concerning how he’d ensure taxpayer money is spent efficiently and effectively, Welch said the board would establish goals for which it can be held accountable.
“I would rebuild the trust of the taxpayers by using the money we have to replace and repair facilities,” said Lennon, responding to the same question.
Speaking on how she would ensure students from low-income backgrounds get a great education, she said she would make sure all the students’ basic needs are met, because there are so many parents who aren’t able to do so. Lennon said she also wants to reward teachers who choose to work in high-risk schools, as well as change the start times of high schools.
Welch said he advocates giving students more choices for their education by expanding the district’s magnet program.
Staff writer Emmett Gienapp contributed to this story.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.