Bristol, Tenn. School Board Candidate: Kelly I. Buskell III

Kelly I. Buskell III

Age: 49
Address: 302 Roscommon Dr. Bristol, Tenn. 37620
Daytime telephone number: (423) 646-8080
Evening phone number: (423) 646-8080
E-mail address:

Party affiliation: Board of Education is a nonpartisan position. The school board can only act as a group. However I am a registered Republican.
Office you are seeking:  Board of Education, 1st District Bristol Tennessee
Please answer the following questions about your background:
What is your educational background, including the highest degree you attained (high school, college, advanced degree) and the year it was attained?  

Tazewell Virginia High School: 1978
East Tennessee State University: B.B.A. Marketing: 1984
West Virginia State Police Academy: 1985
What is your professional background, including your present employer and job description? What other positions have you held in the past? If you are retired, please describe your most recent employment.  

Senior claims representative: GMAC Insurance Company
Police Officer, Bluefield, W.Va.

Are you married? If so, please list your spouse’s name, occupation and any elected offices they hold or have held in the past.  

Cathy B. Buskell, account manager
No elected offices
Do you have children? If so, how many and what are their ages?  

Megan Patraca-Ann Buskell- 16, 11th grade at Tennessee High
Lakyn Kelly-Jo Buskell- 13, eighth grade at Vance Middle School

Do you presently hold an elected or appointed office or have you held one in the past? Please list all elected or appointed posts and the years you were in office.  

No, this is my first attempt for an elected office
Have you ever been an officer in a political party, worked in a campaign or been a delegate to a political convention? If yes, please provide details and names of the candidates for whom you worked.  

No

How long have you lived in the area? If you have lived elsewhere, where have you lived and for how long?  

I have lived in Bristol, Tenn., since April 15, 1997. I lived in Bluefield, W.Va., for 13 years.

Who are your three biggest campaign contributors? How much money have you raised in your campaign? Have you taken any special interest or PAC money? How much money do you expect to spend in your campaign?  

I have no contributors to my campaign. My campaign is self-financed. I expect to spend between $750 and $900.

Do you volunteer your time or give money to local causes? If so, please list them.  

I have coached in the Bristol recreation league in Bristol Tenn.
I have volunteered for the Twin City Women’s Club for the Miss Food City Pageant.
Volunteer as a nursery worker for my church.
I have served on the Parent Advisory Board at Vance Middle School; served as chair of this board during the 2004-05 school year.
I have volunteered for the Tennessee High Athletic boosters; working during race week, Arby’s Classic, Holiday Hoops, and various sports tournaments
Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime as an adult? If yes, please give jurisdiction and details.  
No

Have you ever filed bankruptcy? If yes, please explain.  

No
Have you ever served in the military? If yes, please provide details, including branch of service, highest rank, years of service and date and terms of discharge.  

No
Have you or your business ever been the subject of a lawsuit, lien or foreclosure? If yes, please explain.  

No
What ties do you have to any business or organization that could profit from action as a city council member?  
None

Please explain your plan to avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest.  

I do not see placing myself in a situation such as this.

I do not have any family members employed by the Bristol Tennessee School System.

I believe that my life experience would allow me to recognize any potential conflict, and to take the appropriate measures to avoid this type of situation.
Please answer the following questions about issues facing the school system.
What makes you the best candidate for the school board?  

I feel that I am the best candidate for this position because I truly have an interest for the future of our children. In filing for this position, I did not make this decision lightly, as I have thought about this for over three years. I have interviewed numerous administrators, teachers, students, and most importantly parents about the positives and negatives of our school system.

I have also interviewed teachers in a nearby school system in order to compare the positives and negatives of their school system to the Bristol Tennessee city school system. I have two daughters who have been in our elementary schools; one is now at Tennessee High, and one is at Vance Middle School.

I feel that is imperative for a school board member to have children in the system during the time they serve. Our children are faced with numerous issues on a daily basis. It is highly important that the school board be kept abreast of these issues, so they may be able to react when required.

I am the only candidate in the 1st district that has children in the advanced stages of the educational process of our school system. This allows me to be more in touch with the concerns of our parents.

Throughout my campaign, I have stressed to the parents and citizens of Bristol, Tenn., to provide me with their thoughts and concerns through email:
I have served on the Vance Middle School Parent Advisory Board, and was the chair in 2004-05. This has given me the ability to interact with other concerned parents and to open the lines of communication with administrators and teachers to understand issues they face on a daily basis. Also, during the 2004-2005 school year, I was on the Principal Search Committee, which aided in the selection of the principals for Vance Middle School and Tennessee High. I was the only candidate outside of sitting board members to attend all five interviews of the five finalists for the Director of Schools position. Serving on Parent Advisory Board also allowed me to hear the concerns of our students.
This experience has set the foundation for my candidacy for the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education seat in the 1st district.

 
What are the three best things about Bristol, Tennessee’s public schools? What are the three worst things?  

Best: 
A.) Our Teachers: Throughout my numerous interviews with our teachers, the number one thing that was always mentioned and expounded on was the “STUDENT.”
Our teachers focus was always on the students. I found this extremely impressive.

B.) Administrators: Once again, the focus has always been on the students. All of my discussions have always given me the impression that our administrators always want what is best for our students.

C.) Parents: I feel that Bristol has some of the most dedicated parents in the area. Our parents are involved in the daily development of the children. The parents volunteer their time in the academic field, band booster, athletic boosters, field trips, PTSA, homeroom parents, and working at their respective schools. We, as a school board, need to keep the lines of communications open with all parents.

Worst:
This is a strong adjective which is prefer not to use; I prefer weaknesses.

A.) Communication: This is an area that needs to be addressed by all within our school system. I have had many parents voice their concerns over the lack of communication, specifically the failure to respond in a timely manner to e-mails; the failure to return phone calls; the failure to notify parents when school and athletic events have been cancelled.

B.) Facilities: This is an area that will require more thought and planning. Fairmount is near completion. We should have the student in class by January 2010. I feel that our next concern is Vance Middle School. The teachers and administrors have done their best to keep this building up and running. Tennessee High and the other elementary schools will also need to be addressed.

Do you believe the school system needs a dress code? If so, what are some criteria the policy should include. If not, explain why you believe it is unnecessary. Should the school system consider a uniform policy for students? Explain why or why not.  

First we need to define dress code versus school uniform. Once this has been complete, we need to further investigate the positives and the negatives.

As a member of the Parent Advisory board at Vance Middle School last year, this issue was discussed on numerous occasions.  Some of the positives for a dress code would include increased self-esteem because it places all students on the same playing field and it would reduce gang-related colors. It also eliminates class distinction based on clothing. It enhances safety because we would be able to recognize a stranger in the school.

Some of the negative aspects of a dress code are that it reduces students’ self expression, consistent enforcement is crucial and a dress code takes away from parents’ choices.

It is my opinion that the school board needs to fully investigate the positives and negatives of a dress code. The parents need to express their opinions on this issue. I feel that parents’ opinions are crucial in forming a decision to accept or reject a dress code.
Before I can make a decision, I will need more data, and information.

How will you encourage more students to enroll in vocational training or higher education beyond high school?  

First and foremost, this area should be addressed by the student’s parents. The parents influence the students’ habits, and are the foundation of the child.

I feel that as a school system, we are required to provide the students with the best tools, resources and instructions to prepare them for adulthood. We must understand that each student is different, they have different behaviors and desires. We need to work with each student at an early and develop them, whether they attend college, additional vocational education, join the work force and join the military.

How much emphasis do you place on art and music instruction? Please explain.  
Music and art should always be part of our curriculum.

Describe your most recent visit to a school in Bristol, Tenn. When, which school, purpose of visit.  

Fairmount: I drive by on a weekly basis to inspect the construction process.

Tennessee High School, approximately three weeks ago, to attend a meeting regarding the future of girls’ softball.

Vance Middle School, during basketball season, since my youngest is a member of the team, Also attended by the preseason softball meeting.