Skip to main content
Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13

Black retains seat, 4 Republican newcomers join Hamilton County school board

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Jill Black, District 11 Hamilton County School Board member, has a quick dinner as she talks with Deb Miller.  Black reception was at the Old St. Elmo Fire Hall.  August 1, 2024 was election night in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Jill Black, District 11 Hamilton County School Board member, has a quick dinner as she talks with Deb Miller. Black reception was at the Old St. Elmo Fire Hall. August 1, 2024 was election night in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Jill Black, District 11 Hamilton County School Board member, has a quick dinner as she talks with Deb Miller. Black reception was at the Old St. Elmo Fire Hall. August 1, 2024 was election night in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

Democrat incumbent Jill Black retained her seat on the Hamilton County Board of Education and Republicans Steve Slater, Ben Daugherty, Jodi Schaffer and Felice Hadden won their races in Thursday’s general election, according to the final unofficial vote totals released by the Hamilton County Election Commission.

After the election, the board’s makeup will be seven Republicans and four Democrats. It currently has six Republicans, three Democrats and two independents.

With five new members joining the school board, the election will result in a loss of institutional knowledge.

Black — the lone incumbent running for reelection – won her bid to continue representing District 11, which includes the Tiftonia, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge areas.

(READ MORE: Hamilton County Aug. 1 election results)