Shannon Coan

Houston

Education Reporter at Chattanooga Times Free Press

education reporter @timesfreepress | past lives @bostonglobe, @beaconjournal | she/her

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Articles

Chattanooga 2.0 gets $500K grant to expand career pathways

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

Chattanooga 2.0 will launch a pathway for Hamilton County students to pursue a career in cybersecurity after receiving a grant from the the BlackRock Foundation. The nonprofit was awarded a $500,000 grant from the foundation, the New York City investment company's philanthropic arm, to expand its viable pathways initiative. The program connects recent graduates of Hamilton County public schools with job training for in-demand, high-wage careers.
Hamilton County commissioners praise school district’s balanced budget

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

As the school system presented the Hamilton County Commission with a funding plan that closes a $16.2 million deficit, several commissioners praised the school board for bringing a balanced budget – something that had been a point of contention during the board's budgeting process.
Hamilton County leaders are pushing for Chattanooga to contribute more to schools. The city says it does its share

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

Hamilton County leaders are pushing for Chattanooga to contribute more to schools. The city says it does its share 0 minutes ago by Shannon Coan Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The board listens to a speaker during a work session of the Hamilton County School Board on May 8, 2025.
UT board names Lori Mann Bruce UTC’s new chancellor

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

The University of Tennessee board of trustees appointed Lori Mann Bruce as the next chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Friday. Bruce, a provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Technological University, becomes the first woman to hold the role in the university's 138-year history. She will begin working at UTC June 30. Bruce will make $450,000 per year, as well as receive a housing and one-time moving allowance.
Hamilton County Schools budget cuts jobs, reduces benchmarks

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

After at least three months of conversations around how to accommodate a funding shortfall, the Hamilton County school board passed its budget Thursday despite concerns from some that it does not seek additional funds that the district needs. The balanced budget approved in an 8-3 vote removes half a position of the principal's choosing from every school, reduces benchmark testing from three times a year to once and cuts $5.3 million from the central office.
As Hamilton County Schools budget vote nears, some look to central office as the place to make more cuts

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

As Hamilton County Schools budget vote nears, some look to central office as the place to make more cuts 4 minutes ago by Shannon Coan Staff File Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Tuli Van Korlaar and Mabry Connor are applauded after speaking for saving bus service to magnet schools. It's one of many needs that people have cited as more important than central office staffing.
What to know about the cuts in Hamilton County Schools’ proposed budget

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

What to know about the cuts in Hamilton County Schools’ proposed budget 6 minutes ago by Shannon Coan Staff photo by Abby White / A sign stating “Fully fund our schools” rests on a column outside of the Hamilton County Courthouse. The Hamilton County Commission held their weekly meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, where public school funding was an emphasized topic. .
Chattanooga, Tenn., Apprenticeship Hub Helps Talent With AI

1 month ago | govtech.com | Shannon Coan

The customized AI agent, named Celeste, aims to make the recruiting process interactive and easier for employers, said Walton Robinson, the executive director of the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Apprenticeship Hub. The hub wants the AI to be available to potential apprentices to help them identify what job they want to do and what skills they have already that can transfer to a new career path, he said.
Hamilton County program for teachers of color questioned

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

Hamilton County program for teachers of color questioned 2 minutes ago by Shannon Coan Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / School board member Larry Grohn asks a question April 17, 2025, at a Hamilton County school board meeting. On April 30, 2025, he questioned the district's mentorship programs for teachers of color. A Hamilton County school board member is questioning the district's mentorship programs for teachers of color.
Chattanooga apprenticeship hub will use AI to find talent

1 month ago | timesfreepress.com | Shannon Coan

The Chattanooga area's apprenticeship opportunity hub will use artificial intelligence to help employers find overlooked talent for its work-based talent development programs. The customized AI agent, named Celeste, aims to make the recruiting process interactive and easier for employers, said Walton Robinson, the executive director of the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Apprenticeship Hub.