Reporter’s Note
The Times Free Press wants to see your “back to school” photos. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or you are a teacher beginning your 20th year in the classroom, send us your photos for a chance to be featured online. Send your photos on Wednesday to news@timesfreepress.com. Keep reading to see a photo of me on my first day of kindergarten in 1996.
– Meghan
THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
Between budget votes and supply drives, summer has flown by.
Hamilton County teachers have been back in the classroom since Aug. 1, but classes will officially resume tomorrow – Wednesday, April 1.
This year marks new start times for several schools, the launch of more Future Ready Institutes and a re-opening 10 years in the making of the old Howard Middle School.
Howard Connect Academy will greet 150 sixth graders when the school opens its doors Wednesday. Check out the Times Free Press for the full story and here from Principal Mardee Miller as she shares her hopes for the school year.
Also this week, the Hamilton County Commission is expected to vote again on a county budget that includes $418 million for the school district.
Last week, school board members fired back after county commissioners debated how to fund public education and scolded the school board for nixing a 2.5% teacher raise.
Commissioners weren’t the only ones griping at the school board last week – Tennessee Sen. Todd Gardenhire is once again calling for the board to release the amount paid to a victim in one of the 2015 Ooltewah rape cases after a settlement was agreed to last fall.
The district has also come under fire in recent days for what some call a “racist” or “inappropriate” presentation that included discussions on white privilege, racism and adverse childhood experiences at the third annual Urban Education Institute last Friday. The district said viral photos of the presentation “misrepresented” it.
For these stories and more – including a picture of Times Free Press education reporter Meghan Mangrum as a cute five-year-old – keep reading! Click here to see a gallery of Times Free Press staff members on their first day of school.