In a recent conversation with a classified HCDE employee, she indicated that as a classified employee (non-teacher) that she would not be getting the annual two percent step raise that most teachers get every year. The step raise system is guaranteed to teachers (certified employees) every year. However it is suggested but not guaranteed for classified employees. She also said ... (click for more)

By all accounts the public schools in Chattanooga and Hamilton County are far from what the average taxpayer would want them to be. Our schools are our number one priorities, this easily reflected by the fact they now receive over 60 percent of the total county budget -- the most money ever allocated to public education in history -- and the unbridled desire of our booming area ... (click for more)

County School Board member Rhonda Thurman said Monday that teachers are quitting the county schools because they face attacks from unruly students and they don't get backing from the administration. Supt. Bryan Johnson said, "We absolutely have challenges," but he said he puts his focus on academic improvement. He said a disciplinary committee meeting took two hours, and he would ... (click for more)

An expressive witness, general disorder, and a circus-like atmosphere defined a preliminary hearing involving four men accused of the July murder of Tracy Calloway. On July 21, Antonio Watkins, 25; Prandel Reid Jr., 27, Gary Cross, 23, and Jamichael Smith, 26, allegedly drove up to Mr. Calloway’s residence and began shooting. Calloway, who was located in a white car parked in ... (click for more)

The Chattanooga women’s soccer team earned a record-tying eighth shutout with a 2-0 win over The Citadel Sunday afternoon in Southern Conference action at the Washington Light Infantry Field. The Mocs improve to 8-4-3 on the year and 3-2-1 in league action. The Citadel falls to 5-6-2 overall and 1-4 against the conference. The Mocs matched a school record eight shutouts set ... (click for more)

KNOXVILLE – Of all the work that went into Tennessee’s first SEC football victory in 11 months, Jeremy Pruitt seemed to linger over one achievement in particular. The 91-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that clinched the Vols’ 20-10 victory over Mississippi State was the best combination of execution and effort. It drew first mention by UT’s coach on Monday, in advance ... (click for more)