The situation in District 5 schools is alarming and District 5 deserves better representation.
First, the current school board member apparently supports dismantling public education. On June 24, 2020 the District 5 board member shared on her personal social media thoughts dismantling public education. "Until we dismantle public education, we're only funneling Black children through systems that won't work!"
Has she succeeded in dismantling District 5? You decide:
District 5 Graduation Rates:
The average graduation rate in Tennessee schools is 90 percent. Both high schools in Ms. Jones' district have suffered an unprecedented decline over the past eight years. Brainerd High School's graduation rates have declined 5.23 percent, bringing them down to 84.40 percent and Tyner Academy has declined 9.4 percent bringing the score down to 74.87 percent.
District 5 Math Scores:
Overall math proficiency rates for the state of Tennessee hover somewhere around 39 percent. In District 5, the math literacy score at Barger Elementary is 22 percent, Woodmore Elementary is 12 percent and Brainerd High School is 3 percent. Three percent?
District 5 Reading Scores:
Only 17 percent of Barger Elementary students read on grade level. Twelve percent of Woodmore Elementary reads on grade level. Seven percent of the students at Brainerd High School are reading on grade level.
Now let's talk about facilities. Last year, we all heard the students from Tyner Academy advocate for themselves in an attempt to get something done about the facilities at Tyner Academy. The school has mold, asbestos, ceiling tiles are falling in, and the roof leaks when it rains. One student said "When I walk the halls, it feels as if they placed kids in an abandoned prison with posters to make it look like a school." It took a student walk out where another student said Tyner looks like "a crack house on Broad Street" to get the board to move on the issue. Where was the current District 5 board member from 2014-2021? Was she relentlessly advocating for Tyner? Did she even show up to the student walk out to stand with them?
Additionally, the District 5 board member has exhibited unruly and intimidating behavior towards citizens. Last year, at the end of a board meeting, she screamed and pointed at a parent saying, "I ain't gotta go nowhere, this is my board room, I'm on the board here, you can leave!" "Talk to yo momma like that 'cause you ain't mine and I said that and you can record it and take it wherever you wanna take it."
Finally, the District 5 school board member was recently appointed by Mayor Tim Kelly as the Early Learning Administrator Early Learning for the city of Chattanooga where she earns $137,917. Is it really in Hamilton County's best interest to have another member of the county school board also serving in a position on city government?
I met Charles Paty at a school board meet and greet last year. I shook his hand and looked him in the eye. He is emotionally stable, he demonstrates compassion and empathy and he is a proven leader. According to his website he is ready to be a unifying voice for all citizens of District 5. He grew up in District 5, attended public schools in District 5 and graduated from Brainerd High School.
Building a positive school culture starts with leadership. I believe Attorney Charles Paty is ready to roll up his sleeves and stand in the gap for District 5. He will work together with parents, teachers and the citizens of Hamilton County to create strategies that will improve our schools. I urge everyone in District 5 to vote for Attorney Charles Paty in this August's election.
Robert Day