Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Enrollment Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Realtors ask Hamilton County board to pause growth-capacity, enrollment policy
Summary
Greater Chattanooga Realtors urged the board to pause implementation of the growth capacity and enrollment management policy, saying it was rushed, creates tiers that could redirect development and would affect housing availability in areas such as Signal Mountain and Ooltewah.
Josh Branham, governmental affairs director for Greater Chattanooga Realtors, urged the Hamilton County Board of Education on Jan. 18 to pause the rollout of the district's growth capacity and enrollment management policy to allow broader stakeholder discussion.
Branham said his organization, which represents nearly 3,000 realtors, learned the policy had already been introduced and voted on in December and described the process as rushed for a measure that "impacts all current and future families of Hamilton County Schools and all those who call Hamilton County home." He warned that the policy's tier triggers and boundary-adjustment timelines could steer development away from preferred neighborhoods and make housing less affordable.
"This issue matters because families often choose where to live based on the schools," Branham said, asking the board to pause implementation so school districts, local government, realtors, home builders and community stakeholders can discuss the policy.
Board members did not take immediate action on the request at the meeting. Staff noted the board may revisit previously approved matters and that the board can revisit decisions; members said they would consider additional outreach and discussion prior to broader implementation.
