July 19, 2010 -

Commentary by Jaime Sarrio -
THE TENNESSEAN -

Tennessee nabbed a $500 million prize in the one of the largest competitions for federal education grant money in U.S. history — but that was the easy part.

Now, state leaders have to fulfill the promises laid out in the 263-page Race to the Top grant application, and questions are growing about whether Tennessee can pull it off.

Two uncertainties are emerging as the state prepares to spend the first chunk of the four-year grant: First, can the state endure the disruption of a gubernatorial election and the change that follows? And second, what happens when other states join the Race to the Top winners' circle?

The stakes are high: Only Ten-nessee and Delaware were selected in the first round. The competition is one of the cornerstones of President Barack Obama's education platform, meant to be a catalyst for radical public school reform. That, among other reasons, is why some want the state to fail, said Sandi Jacobs, vice president of the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Jacobs is one of 22 people appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to an advisory board that will guide the grant even after he leaves office. Members also were asked to raise questions and concerns about the grant, and that's exactly what Jacobs did at the board's first meeting last week.

Jacobs' main concern is how the talent pool will shrink after other states win the grant.

"Staffing is really critical. Delaware has posted a slate of positions they're looking to fill, and that's only going to grow in September when other states are in the mix," she said. "You have the first crack at the talent, and … it is not an unlimited pool. As a matter of fact, there's no one with any experience on this scale."

The state is looking to hire at least three new positions under the grant. There's an oversight director, whose job it is to "wake up every day and think about Race to the Top," said state policy adviser Erin O'Hara. There's also a policy adviser on accountability and a director for the achievement school district, which is a new state office that will take over failing school districts.

Working with both parties

Staffing for such high-profile positions is difficult, especially with Tennessee on the verge of a regime change that will make dozens of jobs in the Department of Education vulnerable.

The transition concerns Knox County Schools Director James McIntyre, who also sits on the advisory board.

"There will be a new governor, a new commissioner and some new folks in place in the next six months, and I want to make sure that we know what the plan looks like." he said. "I'm concerned if we don't do that purposefully and carefully and deliberately, then we lose six months, and a critical six months."

State officials said the gubernatorial race did present hiring challenges, but they planned to bring the Republican and Democratic primary winners into the planning process. The department is also hard at work developing documents and plans that chart the grant's intended course over time.

"We were very careful in Race to the Top to try and put in a good application and be aggressive, but to not do stuff we were not able to fulfill," Bredesen said. "In a way, I wish I were around for another eight years. It would be a very exciting time to be governor."