As a follow-up to our January 15th request of the Hamilton County School Board (HCDE) to pause the implementation of their Growth, Capacity & Enrollment Management Policy, Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® sent the following communication and will appear before the HCDE Board at their February meeting to present our position and seek their responses to our questions.
February 13, 2026
Dear Hamilton County School Board,
In today’s joint meeting of our Governmental Affairs Committee and Board of Directors, a number of questions were raised regarding the Growth, Capacity & Enrollment Management policy. We would very much like to partner with the HCDE to find solutions to overcrowded schools. The following concerns and questions reflect what we are hearing from families, homebuyers and sellers, and housing stakeholders across all of Hamilton County:
Home values and market stability. Residential development typically follows where families want to live, and school zoning is often a major driver of that demand. When school assignments change unexpectedly or without clear standards, it can create uncertainty for homeowners and buyers, influence property values, and disrupt long-term planning. That instability reaches beyond individual transactions and can affect neighborhood confidence across Hamilton County.
Representation and accountability. If a student is assigned to attend a school outside the school board district where the family lives and votes, how will the district ensure that family still has a clear point of contact and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their child’s school?
Scope and who is affected. Does the policy apply only to future proposed subdivisions, or can it also affect already-platted subdivisions and previously approved developments? If different standards apply, what are the criteria, and where are those criteria publicly documented so that REALTORS® can adequately inform their clients?
Non-resident and out-of-county enrollment. When schools are at or near capacity, how will the district address non-resident enrollment and out-of-county attendance agreements (for example, students residing outside Hamilton County)? What policies or priorities guide those decisions?
Safety and transportation impacts. If capacity-driven school assignments result in students attending schools farther from their homes, what transportation changes would be required (routing, ride times, staffing, buses), and what are the projected costs and operational impacts? Additionally, how will you evaluate and address student safety considerations that come with longer commutes, bus capacity, supervision needs, and increased time in transit?
Timeline and predictability. If the review and decision process can take up to a year, are there ways to shorten the process while still ensuring transparency, public input, and accurate data?
Tier changes and boundary stability. If a school moves from a higher tier to a lower tier because capacity improves, how will the district balance flexibility with stability for families? Would boundary adjustments, transfers, or other assignment options change, and what guardrails will prevent frequent disruptions?
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is unique in that we advocate for consumers while also defending private property rights, which is why we wish to partner with HCDE as the details of this policy are implemented. We recognize that school capacity is a serious issue, and we share the Board’s goal of protecting students, supporting educators, and maintaining strong, stable schools. At the same time, we are concerned that the policy could be applied in a way that is unclear, inconsistent, or overly reactive. It could create unintended consequences for families and neighborhoods, add uncertainty for homebuyers and sellers who rely on predictable school assignments, and ultimately affect housing stability and the broader health of Hamilton County.
We kindly request that you review and respond to these questions so that we can inform our nearly 3,000 REALTORS® in the greater Chattanooga area.
Regards,
Connie Powell-Brewer, 2026 President
Josh Branum, Governmental Affairs Director