Putting Policy Over Politics - And Response (2)

The taxpaying citizens of Hamilton County are facing one of the most important decisions perhaps in the history of Hamilton County on August 6, 2020.  With business closing and services restricted due to Covid-19 concerns, revenue shortfalls at the county and state level are certain.  In fact, the state of Tennessee cut $284 million recently from their budget and further reductions are likely due to decreased sales tax.

The media has widely publicized and there has been considerable public discussion for years about opportunities for improvement in our school system.  Currently, over 62 percent of all tax dollars spent in Hamilton County go to funding the Hamilton County Department of Education.  This percentage will certainly increase as the amount of tax collection decreases.  Remember, by law, this funding amount cannot be decreased by the County Commission.  Combined with state and federal funding the HCDE budget was over $421 million for 2020.  

Our hard-working teachers and staff need to be adequately compensated, commensurate with education and experience.  Our schools often run out of essential supplies at year end such as paper towels, soap, toilet paper and copy paper.  Some of our school buildings are in need of serious repair.  The recent $500,000 facilities report revealed that approximately $879 million is necessary to accommodate our needs.  Comparison to school districts in Tennessee of equal size reveal proper funding in Hamilton County.   Yet 37 percent of children cannot read at grade level.  The bottom line is for some reason the money doesn't make it to the classrooms and teachers where it is needed.  

The citizens living in District 2 of Hamilton County, i.e.

Signal Mountain and Red Bank communities, have a rare opportunity on August 6, 2020 to potentially change the future of Hamilton County.  We need a proven business leader, one who has spent over 40 years as a CPA, experienced in all facets of financial management, committed to fairness and has a love for his community.  This person is Tom Decosimo.

Tom Decosimo’s commitment to the community is best illustrated through his community service by serving on the board of directors of non-profit organizations like Girls, Inc, The Creative Discovery museum, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and Chambliss Homes for Children.  Tom also served two terms as Chairman of the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.  For over two generations, business owners have trusted the Decosimo family for sound financial advice.  Hamilton County and HCDE could certainly use some sound financial advice during these critical times.  I urge all voters to place policy and responsibility over politics and vote for Tom Decosimo for School Board in District 2 on August  6, 2020.

Dean Moorhouse

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I was pleased to cast a vote for Tom Decosimo for District 2 School Board this week.  We are all aware of the financial, social and health related struggles the country is undergoing as a result of the pandemic and the negative impact it is having on our state and county’s situation as well.  

The next four years are likely going to be challenging for both Hamilton County and the Department of Education’s budget.  We have the privilege of voting for a man who has decades of experience guiding large organizations, both as an executive and a board member, through unsure financial waters.  Perhaps more importantly, Tom has experience supporting and guiding organizations during times in which the future may not be as certain and clear as one would hope.  Tom Decosimo’s years of dependable, steady leadership in Hamilton County - leading both public boards and private companies - will be a huge asset for us.

Tom has excellent relationships and years of knowledge working with the Hamilton County Commission. That will be especially important as the Department of Education works with the Commission on budgeting and other financial needs over the next few years.  Tom will represent the students, teachers, citizens and taxpayers of our County in a manner in which we can be proud of, and serve as wise counsel to Dr. Johnson and the HCDE Board over the next four years. 

Please join me in voting for Tom Decosimo for District 2 School Board.

Bob Linehart

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I agree with Dean Moorhouse’s observations and conclusion, however he mistakenly cites the inverse of a critically important statistic measuring third grade reading ability. As of the 2018-1019 school year, only 36.1 percent of our public school third graders could read at grade level. At the glacial level of our district’s improvement, a significant percentage of another generation of Hamilton County public school students will be condemned to a life of underachievement.