Hamilton County voters largely hit the reset button on the Hamilton County school board in Thursday’s election.
With dismal voter turnout among of the county’s 186,384 registered voters, more than 13,000 residents voting in school board races ousted three of four board members who were up for re-election on the nine-member Hamilton County Board of Education. Incumbent Donna Horn, a retired kindergarten teacher, was defeated by Joe Wingate, a coach, former teacher and current college professor. Incumbent George Ricks lost to Tiffanie Robinson, a 31-year-old downtown mom and CEO of Lamp Post Properties. And incumbent board chairman Jonathan Welch of Signal Mountain – a steady, strong leader we hoped would stay on the board – was defeated by Kathy Lennon, a businesswoman and former educator.
Incumbent Rhonda Thurman, of Soddy-Daisy, long seen as outspoken on the board, retained her seat by defeating Dr. Patti Skates and Jason Moses.
After a tumultuous year of plummeting student scores, the rape of an Ooltewah basketball player and the resulting retirement of the embattled superintendent, the voices of voters who stayed home were missed. Our children deserve accountability not only from the board of education, but also from voters.
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