Hamilton County school board discusses equity, policy at quarterly meeting

Superintendent Bryan Johnson, left, and Education Commissioner Candice McQueen talk before a work session at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. McQueen presented the state's plan to help the district's historically failing schools.
Superintendent Bryan Johnson, left, and Education Commissioner Candice McQueen talk before a work session at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. McQueen presented the state's plan to help the district's historically failing schools.

The Hamilton County Board of Education meets for the first time since they voted to allow the school system to seek private funds to bring in national diversity consultants last month.

Superintendent Bryan Johnson plans to update the board on the progress of these efforts as well as those of the Equity Task Force, which the district launched in March, today.

The discussion will hopefully help inform next steps, Johnson said.

On Wednesday, more than 130 community leaders, advocates and businessmen and women released an open letter to the community, and ultimately the school district, stressing the importance of addressing equity.

The board will meet first in a policy community meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, where the equity conversation will begin, and then in its regularly-scheduled board meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Other items on today's packed agenda includes a presentation of a draft of the district's new three-year strategic plan, a discussion on the Superintendent's one-year evaluation and a variety of votes to approve emergency funds for capital projects and contract renewals with organizations that provide mental health and counseling services to students.

Follow along with @TimesFreePress reporter Meghan Mangrum (@memangrum) live from the meeting.

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