Bristol, Tenn., School Board Endorsements

Bristol, Tenn., voters have candidates running in four districts for the Board of Education races May 19. Voters can select one candidate in each district.

The Bristol Herald Courier’s editorial board interviewed all the candidates in all contested races and makes the following endorsements:

First District: We endorse Kelly I. Buskell III over Aaron Brooks.

Both men are strong candidates, but Buskell has been preparing to run for the board for about three years. He attended all interviews that were held to hire a new director of schools. He has made it a priority to become educated on a variety of topics that affect students, teachers and education generally.

He said his interest started with his two daughters, who attend school in Bristol, Tenn., but it quickly grew from there.

Buskell deftly could explain curriculum offerings in English and science, outline his concerns about athletics and flatly said he would have run sooner if there had been an opening. He’s talked to citizens and the board about topics ranging from a student dress code to improved communications between the board and the public. And overall, he was the most prepared school board candidate interviewed by this newspaper’s editorial board, which includes Opinion Page Editor Suzanne Tate, Publisher Carl Esposito and Managing Editor J. Todd Foster.

“I have worked really hard to learn a great deal and be prepared,” Buskell said. “I really care about this.”

Buskell is facing Brooks, a bank portfolio manager who married into a family of educators, including his wife, who teaches in Bristol, Tenn. Brooks is an impressive candidate who has a strong financial background and would bring that insight to the board.

He said he had already vetted the issue with the school board and school administration about the potential conflict raised by his wife’s job and was told serving on the school board would not be a conflict. He also said he would recuse himself from any votes that would affect his wife directly. “I am aware of perceptions, but the director of schools deals with personnel issues, not the board,” Brooks said.

Brooks said he would aim to do what is right for the entire school system and would advocate for pay increases for all teachers. He said starting pay in Bristol, Tenn., is considered to be high, but mid-level teachers are often dissatisfied with their pay. “We need to find ways to show appreciation to them,” he stressed. “Many are not feeling that now.”

Brooks also said he would want to see increased communication between the school board and the director of schools. He said he has been attending school board meetings since December 2008 and believes communication could be improved.

Brooks is an earnest, well-educated candidate, and this board believes he would be an asset to the Board of Education. But Buskell has spent years educating himself for this position and readying for a run for this seat. Buskell was the most prepared candidate we interviewed and earns our support.

Third District: Nelson Pyle is unopposed for this seat. He grew up in southern Illinois and spent a career as an educator and school administrator in Illinois and Tennessee, including Tennessee High School.

Fourth District: We endorse incumbent Anthony “Tony” Turner over challenger Jason Rush.

This is another race where two highly qualified candidates are seeking the same seat. Turner, who is the IT manager at Virginia Intermont College, was elected to the board two years ago. His strength lies in technology and aligning educational standards with technology. He is carving our a niche of expertise with the board in this area.

Turner is personable and friendly, but also analytical and logical when making policy decisions. He has developed relationships with City Council members, but wants to see even more collaboration, especially since council funds all the school projects. He suggested both boards go on a tour of all Bristol, Tenn., schools and learn their needs.

Rush comes from a family of educators and aims to become an elementary school teacher. More children need male role models in elementary school, where there are few male teachers, he said. Rush is completing his bachelor’s degree while working full time and said his next step would be to earn a master’s and focus on becoming a school administrator.

Rush spoke earnestly about the importance of fairness, openness and increasing communication between the school board and parents. “Everyone involved wants the students to be prepared for life after their formal education ends,” Rush said. “We need to unify our efforts by improving our communication because our goals are the same.”

Rush said he would focus on having measurable outcomes in school and meaningful learning. “We should get rid of things that are not working,” he said.
Both Rush and Turner are qualified candidates who would bring benefits to the board. But we give the edge to the incumbent Turner.

Fifth District: Gwendolyn H. Ellis is running unopposed. She is a sitting member of the board who previously worked in sales and advertising in North Carolina and South Carolina. She has been a self-described homemaker since 1993.