CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — A conversation about the future of public education in Hamilton County turned tense Tuesday morning as local and state officials clashed over school vouchers during the county’s annual legislative delegation breakfast.
The event, hosted by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, brought together county leaders, state lawmakers and education officials to talk through priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Topics ranged from a teacher shortage to children in Department of Children’s Services custody, rural healthcare funding and the county’s new open records system.
State Sen. Bo Watson told leaders the state can expect about 50 million dollars in new revenue next year, although he noted some of that money is already committed to cover growth such as more students in public schools…