Dr. Bryan Johnson, the new Hamilton County Schools superintendent, says he has chosen a transition team of industry leaders, community members, national experts and department personnel.
In a news release Friday evening, Johnson said the goal is a "fast and seamless transfer of power."
"The community will be key to ensuring HCDE is a world-class education system," Dr. Johnson said. "Our goal is to be the fastest improving system in Tennessee and these leaders will help form our path."
The team members will focus on five areas:
Student achievement: The goal is to make sure all students, including economically disadvantaged, English-language learners and others, are on track to master core content in reading, math, social studies and science. Johnson said tools will include high-quality tier I instruction and effective instructional frameworks along with appropriate classroom and school resources.
Postsecondary ready: All students must be equipped for postsecondary education and have access to college and career guidance.
Talent development: Hamilton County must recruit, train, retain, and compensate our most valuable assets, our employees, through a sustainable and competitive strategy.
Organizational efficiency: Ensure appropriate district and school-level structures and budgeting processes and effectively use available assets with a measurable return on investment.
Communications and stakeholder engagement: "We must shape our own image and define who we are as a system. We must ensure that all stakeholders are informed in a timely, easily accessible and convenient manner. We must also ensure that parents and community partners are engaged appropriately and efforts are aligned to maximize positive student outcomes."
Bryan said the five groups will have eight weeks to develop approaches that can be used in the district's new strategic plan.
"I believe that every facet of a great school district is a commitment to student success. As a community, we must clearly define what a successful student looks like, create a plan of action and ensure that it is implemented with fidelity," he said.
The transition team will include:
Bill Kilbride, Chattanooga Chamber
Emerson Burch, Artisant Group
Elizabeth Baker, parent
The Rev. Ernest Reid, Second Baptist Church
Gini Pupo-Walker, Tennessee Equity Coalition
Stacy Johnson, LaPaz
Heather McIntyre, teacher
Nathalie Strickland, Strickland PR Strategies
Matt Busby, Camp House
Andrew Scarbrough, Causeway/PriceWaiter
Dr. Steve Highlander, school board
Hodgen Mainda, EPB
LaKweshia Ewing, business owner
Maura Black Sullivan, City of Chattanooga
Joe Wood, Battelle For Kids
Jason Tyszko, U.S. Chamber Foundation
Sarah Morgan, Benwood Foundation
Saunya Goss, principal
Davd Steele, Chattanooga Chamber
Donna Mason, State ACT
James Tucker, UTC McKee Chair of Excellence
Pete Cooper, retired, Community Foundation
Edna Varner, Public Education Foundation
Dr. Sharon Harper, TN Core
Marty Lowe, MSi Workforce Solutions
Indira Dammu, TN Score
Dan Liner, HCDE Tennessee Education Association
Laura Hessler, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Jared Bigham, Chattanooga 2.0
Franklin McCallie, retired educator
Robin Copp, principal
Lee Sims, principal
Theresa Turner, TEA UniServ Coordinator Dist 7
Gladys Pineda Loher, Chattanooga State professor
Charles Spencer, TVA
Leslie Travis, Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Bo Walker, state of Tennessee
Dr. Everlena Holmes, community organizer