Are you aware that the State Board of Education is considering additional graduation requirements, at a time when all high schools are struggling to increase graduation rates?

Do you wonder why some communities pay more than others to provide more than a “basic” education for public school students? Or, why the local matching requirement is different from one county to the next?

Do you think that our schools are doing enough, or not nearly enough, in terms of academics, safety, health and wellness, or anything else?

On Monday, there will be a public forum on education featuring Bruce Opie, Assistant Commissioner for Teaching and Learning for the State of Tennessee, along with Jerry Winters of the Tennessee Education Association. Bruce has the governor’s ear on education issues, and Jerry brings the viewpoint of the state’s teachers. It would be a great opportunity to learn more about what we’re doing — and what we need to do — to improve education and opportunity in Tennessee.

The forum begins at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 18, in the Little Theatre at Clinton High School. Everyone is welcome.

It’s also your chance to give input on what’s needed — or what’s not — to the folks who can carry your message back to Nashville.

This seminar was organized by Rep. Jim Hackworth, who has put forth an excellent effort over the last four years to bring information to this community so that we better understand the viewpoint from the capitol, and to offer us the opportunities of access and input to the decision making process. Thanks, Jim; we appreciate your service, and the fact that you really do work to bring us into the process.