In the 41 years Superintendent Rick Smith has worked in education, he said this is one of the most interesting and critical times for schools in the nation and Hamilton County.
Smith said "as a major urban school system, we need to be responsive" to the changes taking place. Smith shared those thoughts, along with an update on where the district stands, in his annual State of the Schools address to members of the local Parent-Teacher Association.
About 30 members gathered at the Central Office on Wednesday morning to listen to Smith and ask questions.
Smith talked about the number of students attending Hamilton County schools, which increased by about 600 students - nearly an entire school - this year.
"This is the biggest single-year bump in enrollment we've had in some time," Smith said.
Increased enrollment coupled with aging facilities is causing school administrators and the school board to address facility issues, Smith said. He cited a list of schools that are at or near maximum capacity, and how growth is anticipated to continue in future years.
In the school board's work session tonight, Smith said the board will discuss topics like crumbling football stadiums, aging schools and the need to sell shuttered schools like the former East Brainerd Elementary.
He said the board will be presented with a timeline for evaluating a list of high school stadiums, like East Ridge High School's. The board also will discuss plans for aging facilities, as the average age of schools in Hamilton County is 43 years.
Smith said the school board and the County Commission should sell shuttered schools because it costs a couple thousand dollars a year per abandoned school to keep them closed and safe.
"We are not good landlords of [abandoned schools]," Smith said. "We need to move those properties when we need to move those properties."
Smith also reminded the PTA of the 33 public meetings he had last year, lobbying for a property tax increase to boost the school district's budget by about $34 million. He thanked the PTA for being early supporters of his visions of making Hamilton County the "smartest city in the South."
He said he still wants to bring things like art and foreign language to elementary schools and increase teacher compensation.
"It's time for us as a community to move our vision to action," Smith said. He continued, "I'm kind of tired of talking about it and am ready to do something."
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.