Our school board should be viewed as a board of directors that works for us, the stockholders of an education system in which the entire community is invested. With a $400 million budget, it is important that we elect individuals with business experience not only to manage how funds are allocated, but also to seriously evaluate human resources to enlist the best management team throughout the school system. In this way, the future of our community, our children, will have access to a well-managed education process that gives each individual equal opportunity to grow up with the knowledge and confidence to achieve a successful future.
Chattanooga is known nationwide as a shining example of how a community came together to turn a deteriorating city into one that is recognized as a place where well-educated young people gravitate to create their own success. Yet, Chattanooga's schools provide inadequate education and little opportunity for those who live in the wrong neighborhoods.
This community needs school board representatives who will take a business approach to managing the school system.
With a B.S. in economics from Stanford and a master's in business administration from Vanderbilt, Oscar Brock is a successful businessman who has been actively involved in the Chattanooga community for over 25 years. Brock has held leadership positions on boards for the Red Cross and many other organizations. Why -- because he cares deeply about the future of this community. Brock strives for excellence in the school system and cares enough about Chattanooga's children to be their advocate and a voice for change. It's time to give our children that voice, one that will make the business of their education the business of their success.
Patricia Ledford