The challenge our superintendent faces is educating all students in Hamilton County - from Signal Mountain to Alton Park. That is a huge task for all HCDE administrators and staff.
We have had some educated men attempt this in the recent past - Dr. Jesse Register, Dr. Jim Scales and Rick Smith. All of these men I recognize as educated and qualified to lead our schools. However, they did not reach our expectations. They did not "fix" our troubled schools.
Rick Smith is the latest casualty. He met with his demise when some teenage thugs raped another teammate. A CEO of our school system lost his job because of the actions of some teenage thugs. Unbelievable.
Hamilton County/Chattanooga citizens need to recognize what is overtly wrong with our schools. It is not the superintendent, HCDE staff or our teachers. It is out-of-control students. Just this past week, a 16-year-old Brainerd High School student was attacked and beaten on the bus. This was placed on social media and TV 12 aired it. The recent rape should be an indicator to the root of our problems.
Unruly, irresponsible, out-of-control students are the problem. You can't teach students who do not want to learn. You must have a safe and orderly classroom for learning to occur.
Difficult students are a part of our society. There are a mountain of social issues at play here. No or little parental guidance is first and foremost. Unstable family environment, lack of discipline, no morals, and lack of respect for authority all play into this.
The three candidates for superintendent are all very qualified. So were the last three. It is my hope and prayer that the new superintendent will be able to meet the expectation set before them. I doubt it. Changing our schools will require the entire community, black and white, to work together for the good of our children. Social change needs to come to Chattanooga and America. God be with us all.
Mike Harvey
Former School Board candidate