Reporter’s Note
I’m out of town this week, learning more about education topics across the country and things we should be reporting on. Follow my Twitter feed, @memangrum, for tweets from the Education Writers Association’s 72nd National Seminar and tweet or email me things you feel we aren’t talking about enough here in Hamilton County!
– Meghan
THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
The worst best-kept secret or the best worst-kept secret in Hamilton County this spring is that the district’s schools are underfunded – and that Superintendent Bryan Johnson and Mayor Jim Coppinger think it’s time for taxpayers to step up.
Johnson is asking for an additional $34 million in his proposed FY2020 budget, and school board members seem to almost unanimously agree.
Included in the budget are more counselors, social workers, special education teachers, a 5% teacher pay raise, elimination of school fees – and a possible 49 cent property tax rate increase.
The school board meets at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 9.
If you stop by the meeting, you might see some of UnifiEd’s newest organizers as the education advocacy organization begins to rally support for Johnson’s budget proposal.
“This budget proposal represents a historic commitment to the public school students of Hamilton County,” said Jonas Barriere, executive director of UnifiEd, in a statement after Johnson’s budget proposal. “With expanded resources for student support and success, an increased commitment to recruiting and retaining great teachers, and an emphasis on addressing serious challenges, it is clear this budget was assembled with an unprecedented level of input from the community.”
Lawmakers at the state capitol were also busy last week. Gov. Bill Lee’s controversial school voucher bill passed and was sent to his desk to sign.
The voucher plan even got a shout-out from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at a national convening of education reporters Monday. DeVos said she was “thrilled” that Tennessee had finally approved a voucher plan.
Keep reading for this, and more!