"You have to spend money to make money," is a well-known adage. Periodically, businesses lay out large investments with future growth in mind. A similar proposal is at hand for our county schools.
Dr. Bryan Johnson came to us two years ago with a vision in mind. At his earliest community meetings, he impressed me as he answered questions about “what works in education” and his specific plans for our school system.
Since then, his support program for first-year teachers has increased HCDE’s first-year teacher retention rate from 70 percent to 90 percent. That is huge! That makes for satisfied teachers, parents, students, administrators, and a more stable school system. With this as just one reason, I trust Dr. Johnson to decide how to staff and program our school system. HCDE is a big ship to turn, and it is turning.
On Wednesday, our county commissioners will vote on the HCDE budget. If you support funding the positions and programs that Dr. Johnson has proposed, contact your commissioner to encourage him or her to do the same. It is time to continue HCDE’s forward momentum.
Dr. Johnson knows what he’s doing. Let’s let him do it. Let’s invest in our students.
Meg Brasel
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Dr. Johnson accepted the position of superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. He was, I understand, given information that included the budget he had to work with, and information concerning where the school system was lacking and also its good points. He inherited many problems and I understand he was aware of what he had accepted. It’s been two years since he was hired yet he wants all of Hamilton County to do his work for him, by having a tax increase to pay for what he thinks he needs to accomplish what he was hired to do. The school board has been throwing money prematurely at the superintendents for years.
This superintendent has shown me, by keeping Hamilton County out of the school voucher program, that all he cares about is money, ie: greed. A tremendous amount of people can not afford private school educations for their children but do it anyway by working multiple jobs, two income households, skimping and saving, so that they can offer their child the best education possible. Those children are residents of Hamilton County and they deserve their share of money the state pays for each child.
Dr. Johnson and his lackey, new board member Jenny Hill, showed that they do not wish the best for all students. They showed absolutely no interest in what is in the best interest for the students of Hamilton County. Ms. Hill would do good to remember her role in keeping the students of Hamilton County from their state contributions, while she is lecturing the other members of the school board.
Kay Randall
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I again ask the question. Why no sales tax increase instead of property tax increase? Why is this not even considered? I still say no to any tax increase but at least a sales tax increase is paid for by everyone not just a few? Anyone care to ponder and reply to this?
And lastly. Why are we funding the entire amount asked for? There has to be accountability and other items that are not necessary or can be accomplished another way - Free meals are gone and now are 2-3 dollars per meal? Anyone forgot that hike for this year too?
James Burnette