As the right wing continues to dominate politics both federally and in Tennessee, there are numerous victims of the policies put forth by the Republican Party. Perhaps the greatest harm, above all other groups, is imposed on the most vulnerable: schoolchildren.
Soon, the public will have the opportunity to redirect local public education policy away from the ignorant whims of the GOP — in the upcoming Aug. 6 elections for the Hamilton County Board of Education.
In recent years, the greatest sin committed by school board Republicans was their decision to end supplementary mental health services. Each Republican on the board, and with all Democrats opposing them, voted to end a contract with mental health provider Centerstone over its support for LGBTQ+ students.
Months later, the board reinstated the Centerstone contract and offered new mental health options for students, including faith-based vendors alongside Centerstone. Still, Republicans caused an unnecessary gap in mental healthcare.
This alone makes any Republican running for the school board unfit for office. Anyone who lacks the discretion to make sound decisions on the behalf of children should be nowhere near power.
In an act of repudiation, voters would be wise, where able, to elect Democrats to the Hamilton County Board of Education.
Click below to read each endorsement:
District 3 — Ruth Walker
District 6 — Ben Connor
District 8 — Katie Perkins
District 9 — Jordan Hammond