Unlike an election year, when a vacancy on the Hamilton County School Board must be filled by the Hamilton County Commission, all Hamilton County residents are entitled to have a voice in the process via their commissioners. If Dr. Highlander’s vacancy was to be filled by a scheduled election, I'd have a polished platform to present. However, it is not. Time is short. What I can say is this: I am committed to quality public education, and I would love to serve Hamilton County representing District 9 on the school board.
I am a 1993 graduate of Ooltewah High School.
Prior to that I attended Ooltewah Middle, Mountain Oaks Elementary, and Apison Elementary schools. Whatever I have achieved in life is due to the strong foundation I received from public education in Hamilton County.
After high school, I received undergraduate qualifications from Guilford College and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I hold a Master of Divinity from Earlham College.
As an educator I have held positions in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Ball State University and the Adult Education Department at Chattanooga State Community College.
For the past decade, I have served as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church and chaplain at CHI Memorial Hospital.
My wife is a Hamilton County teacher. My mother is a retired Hamilton County teacher, and in the Fall my son will enter Kindergarten in Hamilton County Schools. I am deeply invested in this system.
The Hamilton County Commission will appoint Dr. Highlander’s successor. I have shared my information with my commissioner, Sabrena Smedley. If you like what you see, contact your commissioner. Tell them you want my name considered and that you know Commissioner Smedley has my details.
Jeff Crim