Hamilton County board debates cuts to central office and special-education support; directs superintendent on budget

Hamilton County Board of Education members spent more than two hours on budget and organizational issues Wednesday, pressing the superintendent about new central-office positions and proposed reductions to student-facing roles while adopting a procedural request that the superintendent return with a balanced budget.

The debate centered on an organizational chart and draft budget the superintendent presented. Board member Jody Schaefer urged colleagues to review several new or retitled central-office posts — including community superintendents and a deputy superintendent — and described the procedure required by policy and state law for creating positions. "Before any new or additional position is created, the board must specifically approve it," Schaefer said, citing board policy and Tennessee statute discussed during the meeting.

Why it matters: Board members and district staff said the county must cut roughly to close a budget gap that the superintendent and finance committee say threatens next year’s plan. Several trustees and teachers told the board that earlier reductions have already targeted classroom and student supports; speakers and board members warned that further cuts to special education assistants, nurses, alternative-school teachers or other front-line staff would harm students’ access to instruction and safety.

Board members described a clash between two priorities: trimming central-office costs and preserving student-facing services. Superintendent Justin Robertson repeatedly told the board he had proposed many reductions already and defended the structure and roles of central-office leaders. "You do only have one employee," Robertson said, referring to the board's statutory relationship with the superintendent, and asked trustees to rely on him to staff the district effectively.

Discussion and direction - Schaefer asked the board to consider formally removing positions from the proposed organizational chart and to pair any elimination with a corresponding removal of funding in the draft line-item budget. - Several trustees questioned the role and number of community superintendents (five under the proposal) and the power of the deputy superintendent post. Attorney Ben Torres of the Tennessee School Boards Association was cited in conversation as advising how boards can review and approve positions; Schaefer said she had consulted him about options. - Trustees also pressed for greater transparency: trustees requested job descriptions and compensation packages for new titles, and asked that the superintendent provide those documents before final votes. - Trustees and staff described the potential impacts of proposed program relocations and staffing reductions in exceptional education. One trustee submitted a written statement opposing plans she said would relocate services and eliminate 23 exceptional-education assistant positions, and urged the board to use any suggested savings to increase — not reduce — services for students with disabilities.

Formal motions and votes - Motion: "Direct the superintendent to deliver the board a balanced budget." The board then held a roll-call vote on that motion. Outcome: Passed. (Roll call recorded mixed responses; the motion carried.)

Votes at a glance (other formal actions at this meeting) - Gateway Technical School architect selection — motion to approve recommended architect (Tinker Mah): approved by roll call. - Approval of HCC and HCDEMOA construction items (facilities): approved by roll call. - Science-adoption recommendations (middle- and high-school courses): approved by roll call. - Facility name change: Sequoia High School to be transitioned to "North River Future Ready Center" (transition notes: current full‑day students will continue to graduate from Sequoia for the next three years before the site is solely designated as the Future Ready Center): approved by roll call. - Consent agenda (routine items): approved by roll call.

Clarifying details cited during the meeting - The superintendent and staff said some proposed funds (for the Gateway project) come from bond proceeds and cannot be repurposed to balance the operating budget. - The board discussed that Tennessee law and board policy define the superintendent as the district’s chief executive; the board must review positions and budgets but the superintendent retains hiring authority once funding and positions are approved. - Trustees repeatedly asked for written job descriptions and salary information for any new central-office titles before final action.

What’s next: The finance committee will meet to continue budget work; trustees said they plan more targeted reviews in the committee before final votes. The superintendent was asked to return with a budget plan that meets the board’s direction.

Ending note: Several trustees and speakers urged the board to pursue local funding options—including putting funding measures to voters—if the community wants to preserve student-facing services beyond what the current revenue mix permits.