When Board of Education member Tony Turner makes decisions on school issues, he said two thoughts are never far away.
“First, I imagine the whole community of Bristol is sitting in my seat at that moment, so I want to make a decision that represents its best interests,” said Turner, 40. “And I also keep in mind that our students aren’t competing against their classmates in Bristol anymore. They’re competing against kids in India, China, the entire globe. So I try to make decisions that prepare them to have bright futures in that new world.”
First elected in 2007, Turner is seeking a second term in the May 17 election, as one of four candidates on the ballot. Turner, fellow incumbent Mary Brown, David Welch and write-in candidate Amy Henley are vying for two spots on the board, which has five members. The top two vote-getters will each serve a four-year term.
Turner, information technology director for Johnson City Eye Clinic, said he’s proud of his active, vocal role in demanding fiscal accountability from Bristol’s school district, which has some 4,000 students.
“I think I’ve really helped bring more fiscal responsibility to the way we spend our money, and make sure it’s spent in an academically relevant way,” Turner said. “For a long time, I don’t think we did that [because] our priorities were wrong. So I work hard to get us to really think about our spending. I’m extremely proud when I hear residents say, ‘You’re the money guy on the board. You’re the guy keeping an eye on the spending.’”
Turner said he’s also made a major contribution in urging the school system to invest more in technology – a critical step, he said, to helping students succeed in the global economy.
“Technology is the key thing, and we’ve got to stay on top of that as a district,” Turner said. “I think my experience in technology has been a benefit on the board. It’s helped us really support our students and teachers.”
Turner said that during a second term, he would continue to be “an independent voice” willing to offer different views on major issues like spending.
“I’m not a rubber stamp,” Turner said. “That’s probably why I’m pretty lousy as a politician. But it’s also why I’ve been very good as a school board member.”
Turner and his wife, Krista, have one daughter, who is a student in the city school system.
rbrown@bristolnews.com
(276) 645-2512
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