Hamilton County School Board member Rhonda Thurman was quoted in a Chattanoogan.com article that Tyner High School should be the focus over CSLA because there is space for student enrollment growth and a need for a vocational high school.
I can't disagree with Rhonda that there is space at Tyner High and that there is a need for a vocational high school.
But she still glosses over the fact about the CSLA building. Regardless if CSLA stays as a K - 8 or goes to a K - 12, the fact of the matter is that building needs to be replaced. It was listed on the original master list over 15 years ago as a building to be replaced. Plus, there is plenty of land acreage at the CSLA location to build a new school building.
While I have never had a child of mine attend CSLA, as a county resident and taxpayer I say that the long suffering at CSLA needs to end. The building needs to be replaced.
Now whether a new CSLA building is for the current status of K - 8 or for the status of K - 12; that's an entirely different discussion; and certainly, would affect the building total cost as well as the operational cost of adding high school grades with all of its extracurricular activities.
But the discussion on whether the building needs to be replaced or not is passe.
Dwight Hunter
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Kudos to Rick Smith and his staff for new construction of schools in eastern Hamilton County. CSLA has needed a new building since it was created.
I was assigned to Elbert Long School in 1971 and it was old and needing replacement then. I know it is long overdue on replacement with a building conducive to the best education this county can offer. And contrary to what some may think, since the eastern part of the county has grown the most it stands to reason it will attract more applicants from there lessening the overcrowding in existing schools.
East Hamilton has needed a middle school since it was created but the previous administrations weren't interested in pursuing the funding. Now the cost has nearly doubled 14 years later.
But let's not be crucial of Rhonda Thurman. For over 15 years Rhonda, sometimes by herself, has been an advocate for new schools for Sale Creek where students were housed in portables their entire middle school years. Mrs. Thurman has done just what a school board member should do using her voice and position to push for what is best for students.
David Testerman has also been an active voice for CSLA as well as many other schools and teachers in his district. Hopefully enough on the commission will listen to David and support these constructions.
Too bad East Brainerd hasn't had a strong voice like Mrs. Thurman to advocate for an East Hamilton Middle over the last seven years.
Ralph Miller
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I read everyday the concerns with the need for improvements of the public schools and the lack of funding. I have had children in all three systems in Hamilton County, public, magnet and private. The education is available in all three systems, the parental support varies.
The community support is the key to success in all three systems, not just the parents. The best way to improve the community support is to improve the buildings and surroundings you send your kids to each day. Look at how much better Hixson Middle School appears to be, and more people are happy sending their kids there. East Ridge Middle/ High School stadium should be at the top of the list for repairs, not CSLA over and over again. Close the school, send the kids to their zoned schools, and hope the parents get involved there.
I know CSLA is a good school, but there is not revenue to keep considering replacing and adding on to an entity that serves so few.
Kim Boyd