Greeson: Jim Hill hopeful for PEF future as his decades of service end

Jay Greeson
Jay Greeson

Chattanooga, as a destination, may not be top of mind for everyone across the country.

Chattanooga as a landing spot, though, has a way to get into your blood, work its Moon Pie dust and Moccasin Bend magic into your system and become home for so many.

That's how Jim Hill landed here in 1987, when DuPont moved the former Army lifer from Athens, Ga., to help lead the efforts at the local plant here.

After he ended his working career in the late 1990s, Hill wanted to give back to his new home and something very close to his heart.

So, when he retired from DuPont and realized he was staying put in almost, almost heaven, Chatta-(By God)-Nooga, he recognized his blessings and the need of getting involved.

"I knew when I retired that I wanted to give back," Hill said at the close of his 20-year run on the board of directors of the Public Education Foundation of Chattanooga last week, including more than a decade as chairman. "This has been something that I've gotten way more out of than they did."

Well, that depends on who you ask. Hill was honored for his great efforts and spirit when he stepped away last. Two decades of volunteer public service certainly is worthy of applause. And considering the roller coaster ride that has been public schools in Hamilton County during that time, Hill's service is matched only by his willingness to work through some extremely tough times.

Test scores. Warring factions. Talks of splits. Hollow talk of unity. Bullying and hazing storylines that reached national news.

There were several "worst" moments," Hill said. "When superintendents didn't work out for whatever reason. When the school board and leaders couldn't see eye-to-eye it was difficult to work through, and that happened a number of times over the years."

We as a community are all for great public schools. We, by and large, also don't like taxes that don't produce results we can see.

Looking back on his time with PEF, Hill acknowledged that it's not always about the dollars that lead to good sense among our students. Sure, donations to groups such as the PEF and your neighborhood schools' or teachers' funds or what have you are great, and if you give, please keep giving. (And if you need a HCDE coupon book or 12, give me a call. I'll cut you a deal.)

Hill, though, makes the case for being involved beyond signing a check.

"It's much more than that," Hill said. "Every person in this community should visit their local school and see what their teachers and principals are facing.

"Money is not the solution to the problem. It has to be about the involvement and support."

While I have had questions for Dr. Bryan Johnson as he heads into his second year as the school system's superintendent, Hill has the utmost faith in Johnson's direction, his belief and his commitment.

"You have to have the belief that better times are ahead, and I believe there is real leadership there now and [in] what the new superintendent is trying to do to improve public education in Hamilton County," Hill said. "We will be better sooner than a lot of people think.

"I've seen a lot of things coming and going over the years, but now there's a lot of people doing the right kinds of things, so I do have more hope for the future."

We all hope so.

And if Dr. Johnson and his leadership crew can get us there - as Hill says, sooner rather than later - it will be in a lot of ways because of people like Jim Hill and those involved at PEF.

"Teachers and principals need support and assistance and people who believe in them," Hill said after he called me back after our interview because he had more to say. "It takes the entire community - parents, elected officials, businesses, retired people - to really make this happen."

We all have our views about public education. With those views come agreements and arguments.

Regardless of your perspective, Jim Hill's words ring especially true. After all, he was there trying to help our public education efforts every step of the way for the last two decades.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.

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