CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Candidate Chris Weir is counting down to his education plan if elected Bradley County mayor.
In a recent interview, he unveiled what he calls his “5-4-3-2-1 Plan.” The numbers mean five topics to be addressed over four years in three stages with two focuses and one goal, he explained.
“I am a firm believer that everything in our county is connected; therefore, we must include everyone in the search for solutions,” he said.
The five topics in Mr. Weir’s plan are (1) facilities, equipment and technology, (2) curriculum, instruction and assessment, (3) the student experience, (4) personnel and professional development and (5) communication and community involvement.
Over four years, Mr. Weir said, the three stages would be research, preparation and execution. The dual focus will be students before and after graduation, and the one goal is to prepare children to be tomorrow’s leaders.
In the May 4 GOP primary for the mayor’s race, Mr. Weir is in a three-way contest with incumbent D. Gary Davis and County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery. Early voting starts Wednesday.
Mr. Weir emphasize that his plan “is not an effort to have the mayor’s office begin controlling education in Bradley County.”
“In fact, I would like to see the school system take the reins and spearhead this effort and simply use the mayor’s office as a support element,” Mr. Weir said.
“We must set aside our territorial battles that have wedged (their) way into virtually every facet of our local government over the past decade under the current administration, and we must begin moving our community forward,” he said.
Mr. Davis said his office has always worked with and supported school administrations.
“The issues mentioned by Mr. Weir are the responsibility of the elected school board and director of schools,” Mr. Davis said.
“The mayor and County Commission play a support role in providing funding and assistance where needed,” he said.
“I have a vested interest in supporting our schools since I have two children in the county school system. When you examine the facts, it is disingenuous for either of my opponents to imply that my administration has not supported public education,” he said.
Mrs. Stanbery said she has served on the County Commission’s Education Committee and worked with school officials on many levels about many issues.
“I am on the record as a supportive partner of the schools and teachers,” she said. “However, the school system just went through a major curriculum overhaul and is in the midst of implementation of its comprehensive plan.
“The board of education and administration have worked diligently together to put together short- and long-range goals in response to community input and state and federal mandates. I will continue to support our school administration and board of education if and when they determine a new plan is needed.”
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