Chattanooga City Councilwoman Carol BerzChattanooga City Councilman Russell Gilbert wants the state “to slow it down” when it comes to creating a special oversight district for five struggling Hamilton County schools.
Today, the council will consider whether to formally request that the Tennessee Department of Education give new Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson two years to turn things around first.
The five schools – Orchard Knob Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle, Woodmore Elementary, Da lewood Middle and Brainerd High – have many students who live in poverty and rank in the bottom 5 percent of schools statewide. They have labored to achieve academic gains for more than a decade.
Gilbert’s resolution also calls for the state to “allow for additional discussions with, and input from, the community” concerning the five schools and to continue to give additional funding to make academic improvements for those schools.
In a recent meeting, council members discussed whether to make other demands on the school system and whether any program would make a difference.