Hamilton County school board members are apparently divided over a proposed resolution that would condemn Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College in Michigan, for insulting comments about teachers and teacher-training programs at a reception where Gov. Bill Lee did not contradict his ally.
The resolution, proposed by Chairman Tucker McClendon, R-East Ridge, condemns Lee for his failure to rebuke Arnn’s remarks and calls for state and locally-elected officials to also denounce Arnn’s statements.
Republican board members Rhonda Thurman and Joe Smith, both of Hixson, said it was not the board’s place to condemn anyone.
“What Mr. Arnn had to say was sickening, but I defend his right to say it, as sickening as it was,” Smith said at a Monday meeting in advance of Thursday’s scheduled school board vote on the resolution.