tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21835257110681131532011-07-28T22:42:44.773-04:00the notes and articles of aaron collierAaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.comBlogger371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-24571356831132329842010-10-29T12:27:00.003-04:002010-10-29T12:30:59.938-04:00

Tennessee InsiderPANEL: WDSI Anchor: Carly Flynn Morgan Chattanooga Times Free Press Journalist: Ellis Smith Founder of political website – TennesseeTicket.com and citizen blogger focused on Tennessee’s Eighth Congressional for the HuffingtonPost.com, as well as contributing writer with Chattarati.com – Joe Lance; Chattarati.com Citizen Blogger on Education:

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-46441788688512341512010-08-16T14:23:00.002-04:002010-08-16T14:26:32.946-04:00

Since I now primarily write for chattarati.com, I will no longer be posting my articles here. If you're interested in my work, I would encourage you to visit my profile over on Chattarati.

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-12689395119278846982010-01-13T21:05:00.001-05:002010-01-13T21:06:49.681-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Jan. 12, 2010, 12:05 p.m.This week, the Tennessee legislature will be negotiating and voting on a monumental shift in K–12 education with possible legislation that mandates the use of student achievement data to evaluate and tenure teachers. Since 1992, the state of Tennessee has used student achievement data to identify the gains in academic performance (the Value-Added

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-85788524933506726652009-12-23T14:45:00.001-05:002009-12-23T14:46:30.892-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Dec. 22, 2009, 7:57 p.m.The Hamilton County Department of Education faces numerous challenges, from falling test scores to rising enrollment and a multi-million dollar budget deficit. The nine elected school board members make decisions that affect our children today and our economic prospects for the future. Get to know them—and their positions on pressing issues—in this

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-91292663530639236382009-12-17T23:01:00.000-05:002009-12-17T23:02:56.955-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Dec. 16, 2009, 9:34 p.m.Working arm-in-arm with the Public Education Foundation, school officials have labored to identify the causes for Hamilton County Schools' low scores on the latest state report card. And with new, tougher state standards going into effect this school year, School Superintendent Dr. Scales is enacting a variety of strategies for improving instruction

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-66799357004701415982009-12-15T12:48:00.000-05:002009-12-15T12:50:03.282-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Dec. 14, 2009, 9:58 p.m.Earlier this year, the Hamilton County Department of Education was able to close a $40 million budget deficit without any concessions from the Hamilton County Education Association (HCEA) for a change in teachers' medical insurance benefits. The district has funded a $31.6 million increase in medical insurance over the past 12 years, Chief Financial

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-55382053571824034212009-12-15T12:46:00.002-05:002009-12-15T12:48:33.486-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Dec. 9, 2009, 8:30 a.m.The Hamilton County Department of Education faces numerous challenges, from falling test scores to rising enrollment and a multi-million dollar budget deficit. The nine elected school board members make decisions that affect our children today and our economic prospects for the future. Get to know them—and their positions on pressing issues—in this

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-215610554276773182009-12-10T14:16:00.001-05:002009-12-10T14:18:16.834-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Dec. 9, 2009, 11:02 p.m.On Tuesday, Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga launched Imagine, an education initiative aiming to expose every Hamilton County public elementary student to the arts through activities presented by local organizations. This week, 3,600 second grade students from 47 elementary schools are participating in the inaugural event—the Chattanooga Ballet's

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-80131059496843617102009-12-08T06:46:00.002-05:002009-12-08T06:48:38.818-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Nov. 30, 2009, 11:39 p.m.The Hamilton County Department of Education faces numerous challenges, from falling test scores to rising enrollment and a multi-million dollar budget deficit. The nine elected school board members make decisions that affect our children today and our economic prospects for the future. Get to know them—and their positions on pressing issues—in this

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-84396028792213505022009-11-30T13:13:00.001-05:002009-11-30T13:14:55.046-05:00

By Aaron Collier | Nov. 30, 2009, 8:30 a.m.As a new year looms closer, officials are turning a new leaf on the school system's $26.3 million budget deficit. Many old problems remain, but a new challenge to school finance is developing: overcrowded schools. In the past, the school system's chronic budget deficit has been the result of too many big, underutilized school buildings needing costly

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-79956459171315004722009-11-28T08:35:00.012-05:002009-11-28T20:14:41.112-05:00

Interesting statement from HCDE's Chief Financial Officer Tommy Kranz:"We are growing faster than our revenues."Compare that against a TFP article written in February of 2008: Schools CFO suggests ways to cut.At the time, the district was losing approximately 1,800 students a year, and the department of education was building new schools and hiring new staff anyway.Now, the administration has

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-69762672975860057172009-11-10T20:35:00.001-05:002009-11-10T20:36:44.183-05:00

State Senator Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga) is a politician who loves to talk about education. And he has a lot to say—from ensuring that “90 percent of all education dollars are spent in the classroom” to advocating “new and innovative strategies to raise the quality of instruction.” In a recent op-ed in The Tennessean, Berke maintains that politicians have a new urgency, citing the widening income

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-19687947130119056432009-11-05T22:08:00.003-05:002009-11-05T22:11:50.855-05:00

By Aaron Collier on November 5th, 20097,000 miles separate Chattanooga from Seoul, South Korea. But that didn’t stop Carl Cadwell from joining forces with long-time collaborator Ryan Dixon to produce songs for his latest project, Summer Dregs. In fact, much of the group’s “delicious, dark, semi-sweet electro-pop” was conceived as it traveled cyberspace between musicians scattered across the globe

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-56206466130757314012009-10-29T20:15:00.002-04:002009-10-29T20:18:38.316-04:00

By Aaron Collier on October 29th, 2009After controversial efforts to balance the Hamilton County Schools’ FY 2010 budget led to the closing of two urban schools, Dr. Scales appears to have shifted his strategy on school consolidation.According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the school system is facing “a $26 million shortfall in fiscal 2011 and about an $18 million deficit in the 2012 and

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-62629189606285848712009-08-13T09:16:00.003-04:002009-08-13T09:18:05.076-04:00

Drawing on a lifetime of experience in the entertainment industry, actor Dylan Kussman recently moved from Hollywood to Chattanooga with the aim of writing, directing and acting in local film and theater projects.“I’m inspired being here and being involved in a smaller theater environment than the one in L.A.” said Mr. Kussman. “I love the history of Chattanooga, and with its rich scenery, local

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-40639223215115108042009-08-13T09:00:00.000-04:002009-08-13T09:21:12.014-04:00

As the start of a new school year creeps closer, one Hamilton County school is already in full swing and setting some firsts. Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) is Hamilton County’s first charter school, Tennessee’s first gender charter school, and the county’s first public middle/high school to blaze the year-round trail. CGLA kicked off its school year last week with a total of 50

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-75408682234751737162009-07-30T20:11:00.005-04:002009-07-30T20:25:51.553-04:00

Chattanooga artist Terry Cannon has selected Terran Anderson to coordinate events and oversee the operations of his Southside event hall and art gallery, Loose Cannon Gallery.Mrs. Anderson brings to Loose Cannon extensive experiences in community relations and special events. The Lee University graduate has a degree in telecommunications and theater and also serves as the Young Professional

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-42293043304022607122009-07-11T06:47:00.001-04:002009-07-21T13:22:36.053-04:00

Building Performance Consulting: www.chattabpc.blogspot.comArchitect Taylor Bowers and home builder Ethan Collier have joined forces to launch the Chattanooga area’s first building performance consulting company. Building Performance Consulting offers services to homeowners and companies that are seeking to reduce utilities costs and gain a fundamental understanding of building science.“With the

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-87470350894570191132009-07-09T11:09:00.000-04:002009-07-21T13:21:26.811-04:00

From the TFP: Saturday, July 11, 2009 By: Brian LazenbyTwo area building officials have collaborated to take advantage of a new but growing trend in the construction industry. Ethan Collier, owner of Collier Construction, and Taylor Bowers, an architect with River Street Architecture, formed Performance Building Consulting to help inform homeowners about ways to make their houses greener

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-38343397542329353622009-07-07T06:36:00.007-04:002009-07-10T06:51:45.162-04:00

After 18 months at its prominent location on the corner of Main and Market, artist Terry Cannon’s “Hope” sculpture has moved to Alton Park.In 2007, the city of Chattanooga leased the sculpture as part of a public art project on Main Street. The lease expired in April, and it was recently purchased by Darryl Wyche, a resident of the Hope VI project development off of W. 38th street.An avid art

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-50040554978034861392009-05-07T19:54:00.000-04:002009-05-07T19:55:30.153-04:00

When the Citizen Advisory Panel (CAP) convened in January to review the Hamilton County School budget and make recommendations to school officials, the projected FY 2010 budget deficit was between $30 and $40 million. And the FY 2011 budget deficit was already $12 million dollars. 4 months later, next year’s budget has been balanced to the dollar, but the FY 2011 budget deficit now stands at

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-34856825027778573082009-04-30T10:32:00.002-04:002009-04-30T10:39:46.305-04:00

The Hamilton County School Board voted 6-3 on Wednesday to approve the administration’s fiscal year 2010 balanced budget, which includes the reduction of over 180 school-based personnel and 36 Central Office staff next year, saving the district $10.5 million. The budget also includes $1.75 million in savings from closing Howard Middle School and 21st Century Academy. The FY 2010 budget closes a

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-21349396967957620342009-04-14T23:14:00.012-04:002009-04-15T11:02:21.692-04:00

Dr. Scales is making a pointed effort to prepare the public for what he describes as a “need to change the model for how education is funded and how those dollars are spent in Hamilton County.” Yesterday, he participated in a CTFP online chat and assured one questioner that We are done with school closures this year. However, we will be discussing future possible school consolidations with our

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-37435618673690790592009-04-10T14:45:00.006-04:002009-04-25T20:34:23.856-04:00

HCDE is given over $7.7 mill for Title I funding. Exploring how school administrators are planning to use the funds, whether or not they can be used to offset layoffs. Title I schools receive direct federal funding to finance "programs" such as:Supplemental Educational Services, After School Tutoring at No Cost With Transportation Provided, Saturday Writing Academy at No Cost to Parents, Model

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-89018588334785128692009-04-10T14:41:00.003-04:002009-04-11T12:18:31.744-04:00

It was good to see that Doris Betts left a comment on this article. Every two years, The Arts and Education Council and the Fellowship of Southern Writers come together for the Conference on Southern Literature. Writers throughout the region convene on Chattanooga to discuss their craft, share insights, sign books and meet readers. Without fail, each conference produces moments of insight and

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-37465446382573259952009-04-10T14:39:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:40:59.985-04:00

Chattanooga’s underground art scene is surfacing with the help of Creativinc, an organization whose events feature talented local artists not only displaying, but performing their art for show. According to Creativinc, their mission is to: “provide an environment that focuses on the edgier side of underground art and exposes the talent therein. From graffiti to sculptures, paintings to

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-28982223383404966342009-04-10T14:38:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:39:08.607-04:00

“The truth is that we Americans, all of us, have become a kind of human trash, living our lives in the midst a ubiquitous damned mess of which we are at once the victims and the perpetrators.”— Wendell Berry, “Waste” Wendell Berry will be among the literary heavyweights attending this year’s Conference on Southern Literature (CSL). The affable 74-year-old farmer from Kentucky is a man who defies

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-33434280330158747082009-04-10T14:37:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:38:06.184-04:00

The Hamilton County Board of Education voted to close 21st Century Academy and Howard Middle as well as merge McBrien and East Ridge Elementary Thursday evening. The vote comes after months of indecision among administrators and school board members and heated criticism from parents. As late as Wednesday, the administration gave conflicting reports regarding plans to close 21st Century

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-44242621674556658632009-04-10T14:34:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:35:38.002-04:00

I am an eater. However, I am a bad eater whose food choices are curved by the lure of expedience. And I’m not the only one. McDonald’s recorded an 80 percent increase in profits last year as eaters tightened their budgets. The problem is our choices may not be as economical or convenient or tasteful as we might think.full article

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-83797564740084437812009-04-10T14:32:00.001-04:002009-04-10T14:34:35.413-04:00

State Senator, Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga), published an Op Ed in Sunday’s Tennessean. In it he calls for “genuine investment” in education, one that focuses on the classroom:In 2006, Tennessee ranked 47th in per pupil spending and, on a per pupil basis, the state was actually spending just over half of what Arkansas was spending per pupil. Even when adjusting for our lower cost of living, we

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-71655309130414707172009-04-10T14:31:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:32:21.804-04:00

After months of volleying budget concerns, Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales presented the School Board Finance Committee his proposal to close Howard Middle School and the high school portion of 21st Century Academy at a School Board work session last week. Some school board members balked at the plan, only complicating what has seemed a “Who’s on First” political hot potato with time running thin.

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-70979977789077784992009-04-10T14:30:00.001-04:002009-04-10T14:30:57.803-04:00

Following Department of Education CFO Tommy Kranz’s proposal to close 2 schools, cut 105 teachers and 25 assistant principals, members of the Citizen Advisory Panel spoke out to the TFP on Saturday:full article

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-8078981705914914262009-04-10T14:13:00.001-04:002009-04-10T14:21:53.683-04:00

Hamilton County Department of Education’s longstanding budget woes came to a head this week when Chief Financial Officer, Tommy Kranz, proposed, among a host of sweeping changes, closing two middle schools, cutting 105 instructional positions and 25 assistant principals in order to close the $20 million budget gap.full article

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-35190256001578973322009-04-10T14:11:00.001-04:002009-04-10T14:12:22.007-04:00

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga joins forces with Coptix, green|spaces, Collier Construction and architect Thomas Palmer to build Chattanooga’s first LEED Certified Habitat House for a Sudanese refugee, Baja Dalla, and his family. The Southside Habitat House is being constructed this week at the former Union Gospel Mission Lot on the corner of Main and Market.full article

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-14989235969549493442009-04-10T14:09:00.000-04:002009-04-10T14:10:50.555-04:00

“If we ever have a plan, we’re screwed,” read the sign hanging over the late Paul Newman’s desk when he started Newman’s Own. That quote is among Terry Cannon’s favorites, which might explain his knack for invention. “Things in my life come organically, and I’ve come to trust that,” he said. As an artist, Cannon gravitates toward moments of discovery and surprise, perhaps because little in his

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-86090830183885427742009-04-10T14:07:00.001-04:002009-04-10T14:09:05.882-04:00

Christopher Mosey of iGNiS Glass has moved his glass studio onto the 1800th block of Rossville Avenue into a 5,000-square foot space which will have a hot shop for glass blowing, a cold shop for grinding sculptures, and a show room for on-site sales.full article

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183525711068113153.post-1852124110138384812009-04-10T10:23:00.003-04:002009-04-10T12:30:52.833-04:00

Testing 1 2 3...Will post snippets of articles as published. And archive articles to the left for quick and easy reference.

Aaron Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00714627097420129200noreply@blogger.com0