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June 19, 2008
Tense moments as school board votes 5-4 to extend Scales contract
The foremost matter of business on today's Hamilton County School Board meeting agenda was almost removed at the start. After a verbal scuffle about which motion came first--Rhonda Thurman's (District 1), to remove the first agenda item, or Debra Matthews' (District 4), to accept the agenda as presented--was resolved with a vote on Thurman's amendment to Matthews' motion (the amendment was defeated) and then a vote on the Matthews motion itself (the motion passed, with Thurman's support), things got started.
So it was that the meeting that was mostly about the Superintendent's contract began with one of those legislative snafus that makes one pine for benevolent despotism--or sheer anarchy. I tell you: any time someone actually utters the phrase "Robert's Rules says..." in session, you're in for an awkward night.
Vice Chairman Jeffrey Wilson (District 5) formally introduced the contract's terms and made a motion to approve it. Deliberation on whether or not to renew the four-year agreement between the citizens of Hamilton County and the Superintendent of Schools, after said contract has been in effect for two years, began with a rather lengthy statement by Everett Fairchild (District 3), whose main point was that the timing was not right for this decision, and that the Board needed to be discussing issues that called for action far more urgently.
Board attorney Scott Bennett countered that this two-year cycle is a rather routine move in school systems across the state, including in others that he legally represents. He stated that there was nothing in the proposal that would present a legal problem for the Board. (Earlier this week, it was reported that Mr. Bennett had not seen the new contract; it seems that he must have taken a look at it since.)
Joe Conner (District 7) said that he had been approached by Superintendent Scales with a request for revisions, and had made them. This was stated in part to answer Rhonda Thurman's repeated question concerning the source of the new contract. He then urged the group to offer any revisions they felt necessary, and when that process was done, to vote on the matter and move on.
Ms. Thurman noted the list of accomplishments that accompanied the proposal, then proceeded to rip into them with increasing vehemence. Her tone changed from disdainful to accusatory as she began substituting "you" (directed at Dr. Scales) for the earlier "he." "Who wrote this?" she demanded, casting a hard gaze around the tables where central office staff were seated. After receiving no answer, she muttered, "I know who wrote it."
Board Chairman Kenny Smith (District 8) echoed others' concerns about the timing, but made a point of saying that, unlike them, his opposition to the contract renewal had no element of disappointment in Dr. Scales' performance thus far. Then came the most electrifying moment of the evening, when Smith calmly looked out at the audience and said that he had been sent text messages during the meeting that accosted him for remarks made at the County Commission meeting on Wednesday. "I will not be intimidated by anyone," said the former electrician, now a union leader. (And arm-wrestling champion? Dunno, but could pass for same.)
Underlying all of the proceedings was the general discomfort that came from having the person whose job was being discussed sitting smack in the middle of the dais. But Jim Scales appeared nonplussed throughout. There were no significant statements from Board members Chip Baker (District 2), Chester Bankston (District 9), Janice Boydston (District 6), Debra Matthews.
Ms. Boydston called for the vote, and it was taken. As reported earlier by Chattanoogan.com, the measure passed 5-4, with Chip Baker, Janice Boydston, Joe Conner, Debra Matthews and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Wilson voting to approve; and Chester Bankston, Everett Fairchild, Chairman Kenny Smith and Rhonda Thurman voting against.
Prior to the meeting, Ms. Thurman and two candidates seeking to unseat incumbents held a brief media event in which they signed a "promise to taxpayers." More to come on that.
| By joe lance | 9:04 PM