If the committee investigating the viability of launching a separate school system on Signal Mountain could tolerate one piece of advice, it would be to not emulate both Democrats and Republicans in their efforts to create a health care plan for the country.
In other words, don't allow those with only one view on what such a school system should be to rule the day. That's what both parties did in creating both the health care system in place and the one that would replace it. So we have one party that doesn't want to part with a flawed program and another one that wants to replace it with a program flawed in other ways.
The schools committee, on a recent fact-finding trip to Shelby County, where several municipalities have done what Signal Mountain is investigating, apparently heard a number of positive takeaways from creating a separate system: more localized control, less bureaucracy, casting a vision that can be implemented, a seamless transfer of teachers and administration, and a plan for including students from unincorporated areas on the mountain.
What the committee didn't hear about, according to some who were present, were the downsides for individuals in the municipalities in creating the school districts and for Shelby County schools in general.
In any case, there will be many questions for the committee to answer for all mountain residents. Among them:
- Will the negotiations be similar or different for Signal Mountain to acquire the school buildings currently being used as they were for the districts in Shelby County? How will the town do it, and what will it cost?
Hamilton County doesn't seem eager to give up some of its most high-performing schools and has said it won't do so without a fight.
- Is the town prepared to assume all the responsibilities that go along with a school district - insurance, buses, textbooks, building maintenance?
It's no secret the Hamilton County Schools district has more than $200 million in maintenance needs. They can mount up quickly.
- How much will taxes need to be raised to fund a school district, and will raising taxes become a semi-regular ask?
Although Signal Mountain is one of the most wealthy communities in Tennessee, it is the home of many retirees who may feel they've already done their part and may not want to see their taxes raised.
The committee appears to be taking the long view on consideration of its own school district - the right way to do it, in our opinion - because Democrats and Republicans have proven that the hasty way - at least on health care - is fraught with peril.
Today, even Democrats will admit the we-have-to-pass-it-to-know-what's-in-it Affordable Care Act has problems. Because they chose not to work with Republicans on the plan, they own the plan, its successes and its failures. Were the Republicans to pass a replacement, without Democratic input, they would own the plan, its successes and its failures.
The same would go for a separate school district. Once it's done, Signal Mountain owns the results. If it's all sunshine, roses and higher test scores, all the better. If it's one hiccup after another, mounting taxes and flat test scores, the town has no one to blame but itself.
We understand the concern of those who advocate for a separate district. The Hamilton County district hasn't had the best track record for the last few years, and more localized control usually yields better results. Plus, Signal Mountain is already sort of self-contained, so geographically it makes sense.
But critics also have been quick to find fault with what they believe to be a holier-than-thou attitude about a separate system and a lack of diversity that such a district would foster.
In general, we hope the committee will meet with (or talk to) incoming Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson, officials of Shelby County schools, Signal Mountain folks opposed to a separate district, Hamilton County Board of Education members, Hamilton County commissioners and any other groups that may have a stake in the future of Signal Mountain students.
We advocate for the best possible public education for all students, and if Signal Mountain residents believe that is best achieved in a separate district, we want its residents to have as much information as is available beforehand and to enter such a situation with eyes wide open.
That way they avoid the type of pitfalls our friends in Congress have fallen into in what today seems an insurmountable health care morass.