Elementary and secondary education needs more funding and professional educators need pay raises. That was the message delivered to Phil Bredesen, democratic candidate for governor. Bredesen was in the county on Tuesday, April 16 to hear the concerns of educators.

Approximately 20 educators - classroom teachers to directors of schools - attended the meeting at the Bank of Huntingdon Community Room. For more than one and a half hours, the educators and Bredesen openly exchanged ideas about education, its needs, and his philosophies toward education and management.

At the start of the meeting, Bredesen asked about the educational structure in Carroll County. He soon learned that the county has five special school districts, one county district, and a school operated by the Department of Children's Services - Carroll Academy. "That's got to be some kind of record," said Bredesen of the number of school districts. He questioned why so many?

Tony Tucker of the Huntingdon Special School District board answered, "Historically, people were afraid they would lose their local schools and control."

Bredesen then questioned if a difference in funding existed within the county.

Cliff Sturdivant, director of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Schools said a significant difference exists with one cent on the property tax in the H.R-B district raises only $3,000 in tax revenues, while one cent in McKenzie or Huntingdon generates $6,000 to $7,000.

Danny Truett, director of the Huntingdon Special School District said that the special school districts have both the obligation to fund schools and the authority to set tax rates. Whereas, county districts have a school board that is responsible for funding schools and a separate county commission that sets the tax rate. He noted that neighboring Jackson-Madison County can provide better benefits to their teachers because of the higher level of sales tax collected there.

Local educators were lamenting the fact that Tennessee legislators have failed to pass a budget with adequate revenues. In fact, legislators may renege on the Basic Education Program (BEP) creating a situation of teacher layoffs and higher student/teacher ratios.

While many of the previous tax hikes in the state have been in the name of education, few of the dollars have actually gone to that cause. She exclaimed that Tennessee is in 50th place in funding of education.

The U.S. Department of Education indicates that Tennessee is in 44th position on funding education, said Bredesen, who added that is not an enviable position. While the funding is low, Bredesen said the college entrance test of Tennessee students rank "very high." He said Tennessee should always look at output, not input.

The gubernatorial candidate predicted the state lottery would pass in November during a statewide referendum. The lottery will fund Hope scholarships, capital expenditures in K-12, and after school programs in K-12. Some extended contract money will be available for teachers who participate in the after-school programs.

Janet Brown, a member of the Carroll County School Board said her family moved from Iowa where the state had a 10 percent income tax, six percent sales tax, and high property taxes. She added that her children are getting a better education in Carroll County than Iowa.

Jill Holland, a member of the McKenzie Special School District Board echoed Mrs. Brown's comments. She said her boys were in a private school in Florida before moving to McKenzie. "I think the schools here are wonderful."

Trouble looms on the horizon for education and teacher retention. Mr. Truett said a teacher shortage exists and the availability of teachers at the secondary level is extremely limited. In a few years, there will be mass retirements because of the number of teachers who have more than 30 years experience reaching the retirement age. Truett suggested some incentives to attract people into the education field. He also expressed his concern about vouchers.

Bredesen said college tuition incentives could be offered for teaching, just as it is for doctors to practice in specific geographic areas. The candidate noted that the State of Georgia recently held a job fair in Cleveland, Tennessee to attract teachers to that state, where the pay is better. As for vouchers, Bredesen said he never favored them while he was mayor of Nashville.

District Attorney Robert "Gus" Radford quizzed Bredesen on his tax philosophy. The candidate has indicated he is not supportive of an income tax. Radford said, "I don't see any area that's not short in state government." He said the state is 60 troopers short; higher education has made budget cuts, and the district attorneys throughout the state need more assistants. College professors are leaving the state for better paying jobs elsewhere and college laboratories are under funded, noted Radford.

"The size of the problem we are talking about is not that enormous," said Bredesen."We need to get under the hood," Each year, the state government grows $500 to $600 million in new revenues. The problem has been that the government was not prepared for the normal business cycle of growth and the current state of decline. Tennessee is not the only state with a budget problem. Higher education in Tennessee is funded just slightly less than other southeastern states, said Bredesen. He gave TennCare as an example of poor management.

Bredesen said he would attempt to get the best people possible to run the various departments of government. "A CEO is all about who you surround yourself with," said Bredesen.
 

The onset of spring in the tri-county area signals the beginning of annual festivals. The first of such events is underway this week in Paris. The 49th annual World's Biggest Fish Fry, sponsored by Paris-Henry County Jaycees, will continue through Saturday, April 27.

There is something for every member of the family to enjoy at the Fish Fry. There's the carnival, small fry parade, and junior fishing rodeo for the kids, the arts and crafts for mom, the car show and concessions for dad, and to top it off, a grand parade that attracts nearly 80,000 spectators, and a fish tent that could feed the whole state.

More than five tons of catfish are expected to be cooked and served at the Robert E. "Bobby" Cox Memorial Fish Tent at Henry County Fairgrounds. The cost is $8.00 for all you can eat catfish dinners, which includes fresh fried catfish, hushpuppies, French fries, cole slaw, white beans and drink.

The Grand Parade will be held on Friday, April 26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The parade will be headed east on Wood Street. Bands will unload at Ogburn Park as usual, then head to the Fairgrounds to their designated boarding area for band members after the parade. Floats will be lined up on Wood Street next to the curb headed east. All other entries will be in the Church of Christ parking lot. Horse riders will be asked to unload and prepare at the lower level of Ogburn Park.

Serving as grand marshal for this year's parade is television news anchor and native Henry Countian Jackie Hayes. Jackie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack R. Hays of Paris and the sister of Debbie Doster of McKenzie.

Jackie was born in Paris and went to public schools in Henry County before graduating third in her high school class. She attended Murray State University on a special presidential scholarship for academics. There, she was the outstanding senior in radio and television and graduated with the highest honors.

She began her career in broadcasting at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky, during her senior year in college. Jackie moved to Louisville in 1980 to work for WHAS-TV. She continued her career as reporter and anchor for five years before moving on to Philadelphia, the nation's fourth largest market. During this time, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her reports on women in prison.

In 1988, she and her husband Paul moved back to Louisville and she has been with WAVE-TV ever since. A favorite news anchor in Louisville, she has been honored as the "best anchor woman" by Louisville Magazine for the past seven consecutive years. Currently, she anchors the 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. newscast. Jackie and Paul have two children and are avid horseback enthusiasts. In 1976, she was Miss Rodeo USA and prior to that in 1975, she was crowned Hostess Princess of the World's Biggest Fish Fry in Paris.

Other festival events include the IPRA Rodeo at the Fairgrounds April 25-27 at 8 p.m., Arts and Crafts Show at the Fairgrounds, April 25-27; Auto Show at Midway Auto Auction Saturday, April 27 at 7:00 a.m.; Small Fry Parade, Court Square April 27 at 10 a.m.; Catfish Race, Courthouse Lawn April 27, 11 a.m.; and Junior Fishing Rodeo at Williams Lake April 27 at 12 a.m. Age groups include: 4 and under, 5-8, and 9-12.

A Carnival will be in progress Wednesday, April 24 through Saturday, April 27 at the Henry County Fairgrounds. All-you-can-ride bracelets will be available for $12 all day Wednesday and Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Henry County Jaycees will supply plenty of concessions during Fish Fry week. Check out their hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, candy, popcorn, nachos, caramel apples, coffee, and soft drinks.

The IPRA Rodeo will be held Thursday through Saturday evenings, April 25-27,beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Family night is Thursday, April 25 when children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Friday and Saturday ticket prices are as follows: Advance: adults $7, children (6-12) $6; Tickets at the Gate: adults $9, children (6-12) $8, and under 6 free, when accompanied by an adult.

Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731) 352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com