I was more than appalled when I read the list of vocational programs per school across Hamilton County. We put a man on the moon nearly 60 years ago, yet HCDE can’t figure out how to make opportunities equitable across the county. Inner city children just don’t have the same opportunity for higher wage jobs than others like East Hamilton, Signal Mountain, etc.
Food industry and healthcare are the trainings offered for Howard. You’re talking $10 an hour jobs at best. Meanwhile Ooltewah gets architectural and engineering training. East Hamilton gets leadership, marketing and entrepreneurial training. The list goes on and on.
Imagine being at a school, with little to no opportunity like that. Kids at Howard deserve the same opportunity as kids across Hamilton County, without having to go to a school outside their zoning.
Give kids a chance, they’ll surprise the heck out of you given the chance. We can and should do better by our kids.
James Berry