Reporter’s Note
Do you know a teacher who is working a second job? Are you a teacher with a side hustle? Contact me at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com and tell me about how you’re making ends meet or pursuing a second passion!
– Meghan
THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
Last Wednesday, the Hamilton County Commission sent Hamilton County Schools’ proposed FY 2020 budget back to the school board.
The commission voted down the budget in a 5-4 vote in favor of an amended budget that does not include a 34-cent property tax rate increase.
Superintendent Bryan Johnson and school board members were left frustrated and disappointed.
“I’m just really disappointed in the five commissioners who made a choice not to support education in Hamilton County,” said school board member Kathy Lennon, of District 2. “It’s really sad that our community is speaking so loudly and is supporting [Superintendent Bryan] Johnson and these five commissioners are stuck. They aren’t supporting our children. They aren’t supporting our teachers.”
Now, the schools and the county budget is stuck in “limbo” while the community waits for the school board to meet and approve a new budget, which most commissioners hope is “balanced.”
The school board is slated to meet on July 11, but whether they’ll discuss the budget then or before that meeting is unclear.
What is clear is that the new budget won’t include many of the additional positions, supports such as school counselors or social workers and increased funding for technology, said school board member Tucker McClendon, of District 8.
Teacher pay raises, student access to advanced coursework and even middle school athletics also could be on the chopping block.
Keep reading for this news and more.