CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — The Hamilton County School Board is set to hear from passionate parents about their decision to end a private mental health treatment company’s contract with the school district.
Thursday night marked the implementation of several new policies at Hamilton County’s school board meetings, coinciding with protests and a push from at least one board member to reinstate mental health services for students.
Attendees at the meeting faced new rules, including security checks with wands for weapons and a limit of 120 people allowed inside at a time.
Once someone is finished speaking, they’re required to leave the building.
Outside the board room, demonstrators gathered to advocate for the return of Centerstone’s mental health services.
Elizabeth Haley, Executive Director of Seed Theatre, expressed the determination of the protesters.
We have a significant number of people who are planning to come out onto the grass, to also show up and be heard, with signs and with their voices,” she said. “Since Hamilton County school board refused to have a listening session, we do not refuse to be heard, we will not be silenced, we will be heard by our representatives, and the constituents will have their way.
District 6 board member Ben Connor proposed a background check for Centerstone employees, addressing concerns from other board members about who would be treating students.
The memorandum of understanding would restore and reinstate Centerstone’s counseling services with Hamilton County Schools. The vote on this proposal is scheduled for the end of the night’s agenda.
We have a crew at the Hamilton County School Board meeting as it progresses. Depend on us to keep you posted, and check this story later for updates.