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Hamilton County: Scales fires back on school budget

By: Adam Crisp
(Contact)

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Jim Scales

Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Jim Scales set out to make the record straight Thursday night.

No schools are yet set for closing, and a list that’s been circulated in local media suggesting otherwise is misleading, he said.

Dr. Scales’ comments come after media reported there was a list of small schools that could be closed at a cost savings in light of budget shortfalls.

“Our 2010 school year has some real challenges, and that’s true,” Dr. Scales said.

“But some of the information that has been spread is misinformation. Because (I) have not made any recommendations to the board about where we would have to make some reductions to balance our budgets, but we have given the board some options.”

Dr. Scales also addressed reports about the board taking a retreat to the four-diamond Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville amid talks of million-dollar budget shortfalls.

He said the board is squeezing the retreat to the front of a statewide leadership convention.

He also fired back at comments made at Wednesday’s Hamilton County Commission meeting.

Commissioners Greg Beck and Warren Mackey warned schools officials Wednesday to be cautious in the steps they take to cut costs, especially if they include school consolidations or closings, and Mr. Beck cautioned against a “shotgun” approach.

“I never, in all my administration years, have taken a shotgun approach to doing anything. I try to be very systematic ... so as we move forward in putting together our 2010 budget, we won’t be using a shotgun. That is very, very irresponsible,” Dr. Scales said.

School Board Chairman Kenny Smith admits school closings and consolidations are a possibility, but he said it’s unclear whether that could happen before the start of the next school year.

“I don’t want to make a hasty decision that affects 40,000 students for the next 30 years because we felt pressure to hurry,” Mr. Smith said.

In other business, the school board voted to approve the charter for Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy Charter School. The school will open in July 2009.

Thursday also was the first time the school board’s new ethics committee met.

The panel consists of 9th District board member Chester Bankston, 7th District member Linda Mosley, the Rev. Mike Feely, the Rev. Lurone Jennings and Carol McDowell.

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