October 22, 2025 – Building Safer Schools and Stronger Communities in Hamilton County

Hamilton County Schools continue to evolve with a focus on safety, innovation, and opportunity. Superintendent Justin Robertson recently shared how the district is addressing challenges and creating new possibilities for students, families, and staff. His updates reflect a system that is listening, adapting, and moving forward with purpose.

One of the biggest priorities is safety at school events. Following a few recent disruptions, the district is introducing new security standards for athletic games. Fans can expect clearer entry procedures and ID verification, as well as handheld metal detection at certain events. These changes mirror safety practices already seen at college and professional levels. Robertson explained that the goal is simple—to create a secure environment where students and families can enjoy games with confidence.

Facility improvements remain another important focus. While Hamilton County has celebrated several new and upgraded buildings, the superintendent acknowledged that some campuses still need attention. Older schools like Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences and Barger Elementary are part of long-term plans for repair and modernization. He noted that the district has already invested tens of millions toward maintenance, but with more than 70 buildings in use, the work is ongoing. Robertson said, “We have made great strides, but deferred maintenance will always be a challenge until we right-size our number of buildings.”

Innovation continues to drive progress. The new DuPont Elementary project will mark a first-ever partnership between the district and the North River YMCA. The two facilities will share a campus, giving students access to programs that promote health and enrichment. Third graders, for example, will receive swimming lessons as part of the curriculum. Families will also benefit from discounted YMCA memberships and expanded community use of the property. This creative partnership shows how schools can strengthen neighborhoods while supporting whole-child development.

Career and technical education is also thriving. Future Ready Centers across the county have helped connect students from different schools with real-world learning opportunities. Enrollment at the North River Center has tripled since last year, showing strong interest from families and local businesses. A new downtown technical school is being developed to expand those partnerships even further, allowing students from all parts of the county to gain career experience while remaining enrolled at their home schools.

The district is also working to support both student well-being and staff stability. After recent discussions about school-based mental health services, leaders are exploring ways to involve more community partners while maintaining parental engagement. Robertson emphasized that “some students need more support than we can provide in-house, and we want to meet those needs together with families.”

Finally, the superintendent introduced an innovative housing proposal that could help attract and retain employees. By leasing unused district land to Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, affordable housing could be developed for teachers and staff at no cost to the school system.

From new safety procedures to expanded learning opportunities, Hamilton County Schools is proving that progress comes from collaboration, creativity, and care for its community.