Is camping out for school placement out of control?

There should not be any camping out to get into a public school. ALL of our hamilton county schools should be great schools. We should do away with the magnet schools and put the money fairly into all the schools across the board. If we are to have magnet schools, then why are they just across the river? The tax payers in Hixson, and Soddy Daisy deserve to have one as well!

I'm new to the area and was planning on camping out at CSAS for my son for next year, but I had no idea how early they started the line. I only just found out the line started a week ago and I'm about in tears because I would do anything for my kids and wanted to, but now its already too late. I will go and see how far behind in the line I am, but I'm guessing I'm too late. I thought camping out meant for a night or so, I'm a single mom with two children, 4 and 2, and no family in the area. It just seems unfair and biased towards people who can devote more family members and time into their cause. Like I said, I wanted to and would have done it, but that doesn't mean I think its right. I only hope there's some glimmer of hope that I'm not too late...

The problem is: Why aren't all Chattanooga schools at the level that people would try so hard to enter? If magnet schools are so great, why aren't there more of them so all children benefit, not just those with parents who have time to camp out?

anyone that says we are crazy or that there should be a lottery are only people that are unwilling to make the same sacrifice for their child.

a lottery would only give people that would otherwise not show the same commitment an opportunity to take the spot of someone that would be willing. i would camp for a year if it meant giving my child an opportunity to attend a school whose academic reputation speaks for itself.

i know that there are single parents or parents that both work and some say that isn't fair because they can't camp. there is a single mother of 2 this year camping. one of her children isn't even 2 years old. she has no help and is completely on her own. if you want something bad enough, you do anything you can to accomplish it.

i believe you create your own reality. i am creating the reality of my child being at csla.

if they can do it why can't the home less do it they need a home too.

I would not do anything for my kids, but this was the closest answer to what I wanted to say.

I don't know too much about how the lottery works and what part it plays in diversity of magnet schools.

Camping out is probably the most fair way because in the past, the school system allowed people to start sign in logs. The sign in log, of course, consisted of the person who started it and all their friends before the public knew about the log(s). When it was done this way, several groups of people were excluded.

I did it for my son and would do it again. When I did it several years ago, it rained and it was cold - I had never spent the night outside; that was a rude awakening, but it had to be done to prove a point. The point was that if you don't include everyone, you exclude someone. I was excluded from the opportunity of knowing that the list existed until the last minute. That was unfair to me and others.

I say to the parents and family members who are camping out - it's a great school and this small sacrifice is worth it. Stay dry, stay warm, and stay focused on your goal.

Good luck and see you at CSAS next year!

Your question and answers make you seem biased against parents not the school. This is a public school and as such should provide for all children... not just the ones willing to camp out. I agree the situation is absurd, but the party that needs to address the problem (the school system) has turned a blind eye. Why don't your investigative reporters dig up some answers about that?

I don't have children, but I voted that I would do anything for my kids, and I would. If CSAS has no problem with parents camping out, no one else should either. If more people minded their own business in things like this, there would be no reason for a vote on this topic. You can bet the ranch that if these vandals had their property attacked and damaged, they would scream loud and long about it. Whatever happened to "do unto others..."? By the way, someone needs to be more careful in their wording and spelling with the bottom line. It's informative and a great convenience if the grammar and spelling are correct. People make mistakes though. Have a great day! You have a wonderful, professional crew at WDEF.
It's the best in the area. Keep up the good work.