Announcement of School Facilities Working Group
Posted on 09/20/2022
Announcement of School Facilities Working Group

Chattanooga, Tenn. (September 20, 2022) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Justin Robertson today announced members of a County School Facilities Working Group to evaluate both urgent needs and future opportunities across the Hamilton County school system.

“Plans for the future of our school facilities should be developed with a focus on excellence and efficiency, paving the way for our students to thrive in college prep and career prep pathways,” said Wamp. “This working group will establish a roadmap for Hamilton County to go from a laggard to a leader in the region in the quality of our public school facilities.”

Members of the working group are:

  • Weston Wamp, Hamilton County Mayor.
  • Dr. Justin Robertson, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.
  • Tiffanie Robinson, School Board chairwoman, local entrepreneur, founder of Second Story Real Estate Management.
  • Lee Helton, Hamilton County Commissioner, owner of Lee Helton Construction.
  • Kenny Smith, former School Board chairman, retired director of the Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship.
  • Kyle Bryant, CPA, managing partner of accounting firm Market Street Partners.
  • Jay Price, Chattanooga State men’s basketball coach, Brainerd High School alumnus.

“I am looking forward to working with Mayor Wamp and others as we chart a path together to alleviate the decades-long school facilities crisis facing Hamilton County,” said Robertson. “The situation we are facing did not come about overnight, and it will take a dedicated effort to move us forward. Working together is the most logical way to tackle this issue for the benefit of students across the county who deserve safe, modern facilities capable of fully supporting their educational journey.”

Tucker McClendon, deputy county mayor for education and workforce development, and Dr. Robert Sharpe, director of operations for the school system, will serve as staff to the working group. McClendon said the working group will use the 2018 MGT study commissioned by the school board as its baseline for the work.

“We will begin meeting on a regular basis and look forward to bringing an innovative and financially feasible plan forward for the citizens to review and provide input,” said Wamp. “School facilities are important to every member of the County Commission, and I look forward to their input and support of the roadmap that comes out of the working group.”