posted July 11, 2008
There appears there is an attempt at a power play with the location of the new Red Bank Middle School. It appears as if Chip Baker is working behind the scenes in an attempt to keep the new school in District 2.
Could that be why there is such a big push to place the middle school next to the high school? Think about it. If the middle school is built on the old vacant Bi-Lo property, the middle school would be in District 1. There is no way Baker would let the school go to Rhonda Thurman's district without a fight. Otherwise, why would there be such a push to build the middle school next to the high school? It makes no sense and would create a traffic nightmare on Morrison Springs Road.
The vast majority of the Red Bank community want the school built on the old vacant Bi-Lo property. That would be the best location for the new school. However, Chip Baker and the other elitists don't care. They obviously think they know better than we do and would like to attempt to better their own political careers at the expense of doing what would be best for the community.
It is time to show Chip Baker and the elitists enough is enough. Residents of District 2 need to vote for Joe Dumas. Dr. Dumas supports building the new school on the old vacant Bi-Lo property and will vote to do what is best for the community and the children. He will listen to the concerns of parents, and he will vote to spend our tax dollars wisely.
Unlike Baker, Dr. Dumas does not believe the school board should have taxing authority. He also does not believe high taxes will fix the problems in our schools. We need change on the school board. Dr. Joe Dumas is who District 2 residents need to represent them and their interests.
Ethan Anderson
Red Bank
* * *
What is the point of having a public hearing to determine the middle school location if the outcome has been predetermined by Chip Baker and high-level school officials? Why solicit public opinion and waste the time of working class families?
Chip Baker, here are directions to the school, if leaving Signal Mountain, the school is located on Dayton Boulevard just north of the intersection of Morrison Springs. It is the one with gang writing and looks like it is fixing to fall in.
You may not recognize it as a school because the appearance is quite different from your neighborhood schools.
Rob Graham
Chattanooga
* * *
Chip Baker is exactly the reason, one of them anyway, that my family and I are moving out of Hamilton County.
Currently we live in Rhonda Thurman's District. We've been very pleased with her, and very happy with the school our children currently attend. But this is their last year there, as they will be graduating. If we were to stay in our current home, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, my children would begin being represented by Chip Baker.
Over my dead body. That man has proved time and time again that he is nothing more than one of Dr. Scales' cronies. He doesn't care about the teachers, students or parents of the distrct he represents. He's not sinking his selfish, greedy claws into my children.
Our main reason to move was to be closer to my job as I work an hour outside of Chattanooga. But when my wife and I learned that Chip Baker would be the one representing us if our children attend Red Bank Middle School, we promptly said no thanks.
We will miss Rhonda Thurman and will continue to support her in any way we can. But there is too many shenanigans that go on in Hamilton County and in Red Bank itself, and my family and I want no part of it anymore. There are worse places than Hamilton County, of course, but there are also better places as well.
It saddens me to leave. I was born and raised here in Red Bank. But it's not the Red Bank I grew up in. It's not the Red Bank I loved. It's quickly following the same path that Chattanooga has. And Chattanooga has definitely changed from the town I remember as a child - and not in a good way.
My kids deserve better than what Red Bank, Chattanooga, and Hamilton County can give them.
Matt Riley
Chattanooga
* * *
Are you kidding me? The only political power play that is happening in Red Bank is Rhonda Thurman wanting to have Red Bank Middle School in District 1. Why would any community want their middle school and high school in two different districts?
Red Bank has been District 2, and on the receiving end of Thurman's ire until Signal Mountain came along. Now she can refocus her hatred on another District 2 school and act like she is really 'concerned' about Red Bank.
Give me a break. Ask your Red Bank teachers how effective and helpful Ms. Thurman has been to their school. Of course, they might not elaborate publicly for fear of Rhonda's "gang" retributions.
Chip Baker's children have actually attended Red Bank High School. Where did Rhonda Thurman's children go to school? And don't be fooled by Joe Dumas. He has no interest in the public school system and has made such comments on his 'blog' and in local publications. He'll run for anything in attempt to get elected and has jumped on Rhonda's coat tails in another pathetic attempt.
As a graduate of Red Bank Junior High and Red Bank High School, I am really disappointed that the community is more caught up in the political game and not doing what is best for the students going through these schools. The current Red Bank Middle Sschool was a disgrace when I went through, and we should rejoice that there is going to be a new facility for the children to attend.
Stop allowing Rhonda Thurman to create controversy and get involved in making Red Bank a great community for education.
Lisa Crowder
* * *
The only way we could bring back quality education to Red Bank Public Schools would be to remove Dr. Scales, and every school board member of the Hamilton County School Board, with the exception of Ms. Thurman. She's the only one who cares about our students:
She's tried to bring the public schools back to a traditional school year. Beginning the school year in August is absolutely insane. No one else on the school board voted in favor of that.
She's the one that demanded the lists of vacation and retirement pay be made public. I'm glad I know that most of my tax money is being wasted on their ridiculous vacation and retirement instead of being put to good use in the classroom. Chip Baker voted against that, gee I wonder why?
She's the one who voted against renewing Dr. Scales' contract. Since when is a contract up for renewal when it doesn't even expire for two more years? Chip Baker voted for that. Again, not a big surprise there.
Rhonda Thurman tries to do what's best for the teachers, parents and students. Chip Baker and others try to do what's best for them, what is financially in 'their' interest, and what makes them look the best.
My child currently attends Alpine Crest. But you can bet your next paycheck, L. Crowder, if the new school winds up in Chip Baker's district, my child will either attend private school in Chattanooga, or we will move elsewhere in Rhonda Thurman's district. There is no way Chip Baker is representing me or my child at all.
You seem to think that Baker and others are actually good school board members and have done what's in our children's best interest. Then please explain to me how that's possible, since we're one of the worst school systems in the entire country? You can look it up for yourself. Tennessee is ranked 50th when it comes to our public schools. Hamilton County is ranked last our of every county in Tennessee in terms of its public schools. You do the math. If they've done such good jobs, why are we one of the worst public schools systems in the entire country?
Sarah Smith
Red Bank
* * *
Kookie Thurman trying to pull a power play? Oh, gee golly gosh darn, is that right. Seems Mayor Joe is the culprit for starting this hoorah about where our new middle school will be located, and many of us appreciate that he did.
Who's trying to pull a power play when some mountain dude tells Mayor Joe the "upper echelon," whoever that be, has already decided where all of us Ditch People will put a school for our children and grandchildren?
The fact is we Red Bankians live in one of three school districts ... District 1, District 2, or District 6. Could we please get our facts straight before accusing Kookie of directing her ire toward others? It would truly be interesting to hear what the teachers have to say about that ire, too. It might even show that many of them actually go to her because their own school board member, or the director of schools, is the one who's the directer of ire.
Kookie's gang, now there's a fact worth checking too. With our 8-to-1 school board, Kookie being the 1, it might seem the gang is a bit lopsided.
Why is it that Kookie's so often accused of being the bearer of ill will and then shown to be telling the truth when she brings to light such issues as employees receiving leave accrual when they aren't entitled to it, private citizen groups selling "naming rights" to public property, lack of money going to our children's classrooms, fights many of us would consider riots that are being hidden from the public by our director of schools, preferential treatment of some teachers over others when disciplinary measures are administered, and teachers being assaulted in their classrooms, to name but a few of the issues she's brought forward. Negative? Perhaps, but a problem that's swept out of the public view is still a problem and the only way it will be resolved is to recognize it for what it is ... a problem.
Why is it that Red Bankians are not afforded the same courtesy of choosing where their school will be built as has been given others? Signal Mountain for one. Downtown Brown Academy for another.
A sense of community, a sense that's lost when the community allows itself to be pushed around by someone who lives in another part of town.
A friend recently commented about a "regular man's Mountain City club." Perhaps we should be thinking along those lines. Mine will be every Wednesday evening at the municipal park behind Red Bank High School about 7 PM, and I'll probably have dinner from Vinny & Joe's or some other Red Bank joint. Anyone wishing to join me is welcome to do so. Bring chow. Richard and Bo haven't outlawed smoking outdoors yet, so we can smoke there too. I have butt cans.
Royce E. Burrage Jr.
Royce@OfficiallyChapped.org
* * *
Speaking of "gang retribution", lets talk about Chip and his gang and how they made all of Hamilton County bend over and take their back-door extension of Dr. Scales' contract.
I would love to see a poll in the Chattanoogan asking who has done more for the school system. Rhonda or Chip?
S. Cook
Hixson
* * *
Lisa Crowder's opinion piece made so many ludicrous statements I hardly know where to begin. But begin I will.
Ms. Crowder states, "Red Bank has been on the receiving end of Thurman's ire until Signal Mountain came along. Now she can refocus her hatred on another District 2 school and act like she is really 'concerned' about Red Bank."
Hatred for Red Bank!? Seems Ms. Crowder needs a little education.
attended Red Bank Elementary in grades 1-3 and Alpine Crest in grades 4-6. I attended Red Bank Middle where I played basketball for Theresa Harvey (who is been a lifelong friend) and was chosen as a member of the All County Basketball Team. I also played volleyball and softball in the Red Bank softball league.
I attended Red Bank High School where I once again played basketball. I was a member of the first team to get to play in the "new" gym my sophomore year. When I was a senior, I tore my knee up on the experimental "rubber" gym floor requiring me to have surgery and miss my entire senior year.
My basketball coaches were Hutch Lewis (one of the finest people I know), and Susan Ingram (now known as Susan Thurman), who we fondly referred to as "Coachette". I was present and spoke the night the high school gymnasium (on the current middle school site) was named for Hutch Lewis. I was also in attendance when the Red Bank High School Gymnasium was named for Susan Thurman last year.
While at Red Bank High I was treasurer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of Opti Miss Alpha, the Student Union and on Senior Day was given the Rita Thompson Award. I have also attended Red Bank Presbyterian Church for the last 42 years.
Ms. Crowder has no idea the fond memories I have of Red Bank and its people. For those who know me, the very idea that someone would accuse me of hating Red Bank is unfathomable. I do not have to act "concerned" about Red Bank, I really am.
Another unfounded statement, "Ask your Red Bank teachers how effective and helpful Ms Thurman has been to their school. Of course, they might not elaborate publicly for fear of Rhonda's 'gang' retributions." If I have been "unhelpful" and not "effective" I cannot imagine what teachers have to say about Chip Baker, their current school board member. Every call I have ever received from Red Bank Middle or High has begun the same way, "I know you are not our board member, but my board member will not return a phone call." Ms. Crowder also makes a very serious accusation in this remark. She accuses me of "gang retributions". I defy her to sight one instance where I have had any retribution toward any teacher at any school. I, however, can cite one of my family members who suffered retaliation at the hands of Chip Baker and one of his high brow buddies. There is a complaint on file at the lawyer's ethics board (I know that sounds like an oxymoron), she
can read it for herself there or search the Chattanoogan.com website.
I also find it hard to believe that teachers who "fear" me would seek me out at Red Bank's graduation this year and beg me not to let the new middle school be built next to the high school. They had heard Baker and Casavant were really pushing that idea. I will not repeat nor would Chattanoogan.com print the parts of Mr. Baker's anatomy they said should stay on Signal and let the people of Red Bank pick their school location the same way Signal Mountain was allowed to pick theirs.
Ms Crowder's comments about Joe Dumas having "no interest in public education" and her accusation that he "jumped on Rhonda's coattails in another pathetic attempt" (to get elected) is outrageous. Once again Lisa needs an education. Dr. Dumas (a title very rarely used for Joe), has a tremendous interest in public education. Where does Ms Crowder think most of the students he teaches computer engineering to at UTC come from?
About my "coattails" - Joe did not jump on them. He was part of a group that meets to discuss how to give the government and, yes, the public schools, back to the public. We were talking about the upcoming school board elections and all of the behind the scenes deals and the arrogant attitudes of a majority of the current board members. The group agreed we needed to find people with integrity, morals and ethics to run for the contested school board seats. We also agreed those candidates needed to understand the role of public education and would promise to return phone calls and e-mail. It was not until then that someone in the group reminded us that Joe met all of the criteria and lived in District 2, one of the seats up for election. We convinced Joe he was perfect for the job - not vice versa.
I am still trying to figure out Ms. Crowder's "political power play" comment. I did not know anything about the third option for the school until May 10 at the Red Bank Jubilee when Mayor Glasscock asked if I knew who the "upper echelon" was. I told him no. He told me at that time he was going to check on a third option because he did not want the middle school built next to the high school because of traffic and safety concerns. It was not until July 3, when I received a letter from Herman Walldorf Realty explaining the dimension of the Bi-Lo site as well as reasons for this site being a superior location for the school, that I knew for sure there really was a third option for the middle school site.
Just for the record, I wonder why renewing Dr. Register's contract early two times, his $150,000 consulting contract, Dr. Scales' early contract renewal and relocation of the Signal Mountain Middle/High are not considered "political power plays" by Ms. Crowder?
Call me slow, but it was not until the July 8 Red Bank Commission meeting, that I thought about the Bi-Lo site being in District 1, therefore making the new Red Bank Middle in District 1 if that site is chosen. I went to the Red Bank community meeting with an open mind to listen to comments from the citizens of Red Bank concerning location of their school. I only promised Red Bank that the location of the new school would be their choice and I would take their recommendation and do everything I could to make it happen. Ms. Crowder asked, "Why would any community want their middle and high school in two different districts?" I think student safety trumps political territory every time, or at least it should.
Ms. Crowder says she is "disappointed that the (Red Bank) community is more caught up in the political game and not doing what is best for the students going through these schools." I was at the meeting. It seems the citizens of Red Bank are very concerned about the students going through these schools. That is why safety and adequate athletic facilities and not the "upper echelon" political will is their top priority.
Ms. Crowder ends by saying, "Stop allowing Rhonda Thurman to create controversy and get involved in making a great community for education." As I scratch my head wondering what controversy I have created, I would like to tell Ms Crowder that many citizens and parents have already been involved in making Red Bank a great community for education for many, many years.
I just want to be sure I have all of Ms. Crowder's comments straight. I can now refocus my hatred away from Red Bank onto Signal Mountain. I am unhelpful and ineffective. I engage in "gang retribution". I drag Joe Dumas around on my coattail. I am running around manipulating mayors, commissioners, real estate agents and taxpayers to get a school located in my district. All of this while working a full time job. I recently saw a phone booth sitting on the side of Dayton Boulevard. Now, if I can just find find time to sew me a cape....
Ms. Crowder uses the word pathetic in her opinion piece. Pathetic is exactly the word I will use to describe the "facts" Lisa uses in her letter. Pathetic, totally pathetic.
Rhonda Thurman
* * *
I think it might be interesting to let people know that one reason Lisa Crowder is defending Chip Baker and attacking his opposite in Red Bank is that she has been leading the charge on Signal Mountain to get the high school going.
Lisa is not a citizen of Signal MOuntain so she won't be paying the $4,000 taxes per family for her high school, but her children will be attending it.
As happy as I am for those benefiting from the new high school up on Signal, one must recognize the damage it has done to Chip Baker's 'other' constituents in Red Bank and the surrounding area to drain all the resources and population from the school off the mountain to pour into his children's neighborhood school.
Lisa does not need to attack Rhonda in order to aggrandize Chip. District 2 needs Joe Dumas to help Rhonda bring some order back into the chaos that has become the Hamilton County School Board.
Rachel Miller
Signal Mountain
* * *
Thank God for Rhonda Thurman. She is the only person on the school board that uses common sense, the phrase that started the American Revolution.
Is protecting the taxpayer’s money wrong? Is trying to get the money in the classroom and out of Central Office wrong? Is trying to take politics out of the classroom wrong?
Is it wrong to have real community schools for all of Hamilton County or just Signal Mountain? Is it wrong to provide one student with a better education than another?
To Ms. Crowder; the Red Bank schools you went to no longer exist, they have been replaced with magnet schools for a select group of children. The law says all children will be given the same education when using public funds. Have you talked to any elderly person living in the city of Chattanooga paying double property taxes without county services for their county taxes?
Ms. Crowder, is it right to beg people and organizations to provide school supplies, when the school system has $350 million to operate with? Is it right to charge some children a $75 school fee and not others, then embarrass them when they don't pay it?
Rhonda Thurman is the only school board member man enough to ask the tough questions.
Chuck Davis
Lookout Mountain, Tn.
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