Mayor Tim Kelly wants you dazzled by his AI experiments and lidar-powered traffic lights. Meanwhile, Chattanooga’s city schools are failing—badly—and he’s doing nothing to change that.
Kids in his own city can’t read or do math on grade level, and instead of stepping up to fund real solutions, Kelly’s throwing money at IT staff and tech gimmicks. He talks a big game about innovation and equity, but when it comes to actually helping students succeed, he vanishes.
Let’s be clear: Tim Kelly isn’t investing in the future—he’s hiding behind buzzwords while a generation of Chattanooga kids falls further behind. AI won’t fix what a mayor refuses to fund.
Harold Parker
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First, the legal responsibility to fund Hamilton County Schools lies squarely with our county government. They have the power — and the duty — to ensure adequate funding. That responsibility was clearly enshrined, when the city of Chattanooga exited the school business around 25 years ago.
Second, Chattanooga residents are also Hamilton County residents. They pay the same county taxes as those in East Ridge, Red Bank, and the unincorporated areas of the county. So calls for Chattanooga taxpayers to "do more" seem to imply double taxation — asking city residents to pay twice for the same service.
Third, and lastly, the simple fiscal reality is this: Chattanooga residents, businesses, and visitors generate revenues for education at levels that exceed the entire Hamilton County Schools operations budget. You read that right. The city of Chattanooga sent monies to the county and the state totaling more than $545 million to fund education in fiscal year 2024 alone, a year in which the local school operations budget was $529.5 million.
And if that were not enough, while Chattanooga's investment is growing, Hamilton County's share is unfortunately shrinking. Over the past decade, the county has reduced the percentage of its property tax revenues allocated to schools from 54% to 43% — directing funds to one-time capital projects rather than the school board's operating budget. Imagine the possibilities if Hamilton County restored its education allocation to 54% of property tax revenue. We'd be discussing teacher raises and new programs, not scrambling to fund essentials like transportation and health care.
As it pertains to fixing our city streets, the Department of Public Works has paved more than 60 lane miles so far this year, which adds to the hundreds of miles paved since Mayor Tim Kelly took office.
Stephanie Cepak, Spokesperson, City of Chattanooga
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Dear Ms. Cepak,
Your statements regarding Chattanooga’s contributions to school funding and infrastructure improvements present an incomplete picture of the city’s role in addressing these critical issues. While I appreciate the city’s efforts, comparisons with other Tennessee counties reveal opportunities for Chattanooga to take a more proactive leadership role in education and infrastructure. The mayor’s office has the potential to drive meaningful change, but your claims overstate progress and sidestep key responsibilities. Let me address each point with evidence from across the state.
1. School Funding Responsibility: The City’s Untapped Potential
You note that the legal responsibility for funding Hamilton County Schools rests with the county government, as Chattanooga exited the school business 25 years ago. While this is accurate under Tennessee law, it doesn’t preclude the city from playing a significant role in supporting education. Other Tennessee counties demonstrate how cities can enhance school funding through collaboration and advocacy. For example, in Davidson County, Nashville’s Metro government, which integrates city and county functions, allocated $1.02 billion to Metro Nashville Public Schools in fiscal year 2024, leveraging city resources to bolster education. Similarly, in Knox County, Knoxville’s mayor has supported school funding by advocating for $568 million in 2024, including securing supplemental grants through city-county partnerships.
Chattanooga could follow suit by actively pursuing state or federal funding, as seen in Shelby County, where Memphis collaborates with local leaders to access ESSER funds for school improvements. The mayor’s office has the platform to champion innovative funding solutions, yet your statement suggests a passive approach, limiting Chattanooga’s impact on education outcomes.
2. Double Taxation: A Missed Opportunity for Collaboration
You argue that asking Chattanooga residents to “do more” for schools implies double taxation, as they already pay county taxes like residents of East Ridge and Red Bank. This framing overlooks how other Tennessee cities optimize shared tax resources for education. In Rutherford County, Murfreesboro works closely with county officials to support a $426 million school budget in 2024, ensuring equitable contributions without labeling it double taxation. Similarly, in Williamson County, Franklin leverages local option sales taxes to support a $498 million school budget, benefiting from the city’s economic activity.
Chattanooga, as Hamilton County’s economic hub, generates significant sales tax revenue from tourism and businesses. The mayor could advocate for redirecting a portion of these funds to education, as seen in other counties, rather than relying solely on county taxes. Your argument misses this opportunity for the city to lead collaboratively, ensuring students benefit from Chattanooga’s economic strengths.
3. City Contributions: Numbers Without Impact
You highlight that Chattanooga sent over $545 million to the county and state for education in fiscal year 2024, exceeding the Hamilton County Schools’ $529.5 million operations budget. However, this figure likely includes state-mandated pass-through funds, not discretionary city contributions. In contrast, other Tennessee cities actively supplement school funding. For example, in Knox County, Knoxville’s leadership secured a $20 million bond in 2023 for school infrastructure, beyond state requirements. In Davidson County, Nashville’s mayor advocated for a 4% school funding increase in 2024, directly impacting teacher salaries and programs.
Your claim emphasizes raw numbers but doesn’t reflect proactive city leadership. Chattanooga’s mayor could take inspiration from these counties by pursuing grants or public-private partnerships to enhance school resources, ensuring the city’s contributions translate into tangible improvements for students.
4. Infrastructure: Paving Alone Isn’t Enough
You state that the Department of Public Works paved 60 lane miles in 2025, adding to hundreds of miles paved since Mayor Kelly took office. While this is commendable, it isn't nearly as many as Hamilton County and it doesn’t address the broader infrastructure challenges noted by Harold, such as deteriorating bridges and public spaces. In Shelby County, Memphis allocated $78 million in 2024 for a comprehensive infrastructure plan, including roads, bridges, and sidewalks, guided by a city-county task force. Similarly, in Knox County, Knoxville’s 2024 budget included $15 million for bridge maintenance, addressing systemic issues beyond paving.
Chattanooga’s focus on lane miles, without a transparent plan for holistic infrastructure improvements, falls short of these examples. The mayor could lead by developing a comprehensive strategy, as seen in other counties, to ensure all aspects of the city’s infrastructure are addressed, not just roads.
5. Leadership, Not AI, Drives Change
Your response sidesteps Harold's core point: AI and statistics alone can’t solve issues without strong leadership. Other Tennessee counties show that proactive mayors—in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis—drive progress through collaboration, advocacy, and strategic investments. For example, Davidson County’s use of AI for budget forecasting succeeds because of human-led policies. Chattanooga’s mayor has the opportunity to lead similarly, but relying on pass-through funds and paving stats without broader action falls short.
In conclusion, evidence from Davidson, Knox, Shelby, Rutherford, and Williamson Counties shows that cities can significantly enhance education and infrastructure through proactive leadership. Chattanooga’s residents deserve a mayor who champions innovative funding for schools and comprehensive infrastructure plans, not just rhetoric about contributions or AI solutions. I urge Mayor Kelly to adopt these proven strategies and lead with bold action.
Sincerely,
Jim Merklinger
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I couldn't help but read through the responses and original poster and conclude: what a waste of money.
When I was in school in Hamilton County there was no free food for all. The students lived in the community they went to school in. They were not "bussed" in. The city and county broke the communities in their merger. We had no children enrolled that were either illegal or anchor babies.
Hamilton County schools has had years of disastrous policy, and it continues to get worse. The school system is an absolute drain on county and city residents taxes. The city gives $500 million, and that's not enough for "Jim".
I will be pleased when the school system in Hamilton County goes belly up. The citizens get no value for their tax dollars. Free baby sitting and food has to end eventually. A parent that cares for their child would not put them in a public school in Hamilton County.
Take the stipend for a private school or get a North Georgia address.
It's only going to get worse in Hamilton County. The bureaucratic grift for more money at a failed project will never stop.
William Pitt