David Cook, I grow weary of you and others such as County Commissioners David SharpE and Warren Mackey pushing a narrative from a poll that suggests some 65 percent of voters approve a new tax for schools. The poll you all cite is nothing more than a public opinion poll conducted by Glen Bolger Strategies where 400 people were contacted by cellphones and landlines. Now this may pander to low information voters selah.
Another poll was asked of 81 business and government leaders where 73 percent thought a tax increase was a good idea.
Notice government leaders - enough said.
The poll that really matters and most certainly reflects the mindset of the voter was conducted by Chattanoogan.com where 2,672 votes were cast and 76 percent overwhelmingly rejected a tax increase for schools. As you can see other polls struggle to reach more than three digits.
To give the school board funding power would be an unmitigated disaster wrought upon our citizenry. I’m stunned with the very idea, but then again given your socialist leanings it becomes clearer.
The largest present make-up of school board members does not understand that the superintendent works for them or more precisely the taxpayers - not the other way around. This point will be abundantly clear come election cycle as groups like Hamilton Flourishing continue to educate voters to realities. Watch out board members, educated voters are zooming in to your folly.
Our five County Commissioners are a great check and balance to career educators whose other goals include rewarding their peers in the field with administration positions and bigger pay.
I consider Tennessee one of three states that are smarter than the other 47 unless you're of the Obama years where we had 57 states.
When a business man is selected as our superintendent the successes will be front and center and not the disingenuous methods that you and few others attempt to throw out as a metric for human consumption considered as majority opinion.
Hang on Fab Five, we’ve got your back.
P.S. Mr. Chip Baker, who retired from the Friends of the Festival, might want to retire from the Commission also.
Ron Ray
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I agree with Ron Ray 100 percent in his criticism of David Cook for using one unscientific poll sample to push the issues of more money for the schools. We may need more money and we may not. Nashville/Davidson spends almost $3,000 more per pupil and we are one spot above them in school rankings in the state. And good old Memphis/Shelby spends the same amount as Nashville and is ranked #104 in the rankings.
If David is so worried about public education he could resign from McCallie where he teaches and move to an inner-city school to improve the system. If he is so worried about inclusion and diversity he could move from Signal Mountain, the whitest community in the state, to a more diverse community.
I'm sure David means well, but actions are more important than words.
Douglas Jones
Ooltewah