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Bradley County School board candidates air views

By: Randall Higgins
(Contact)

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County school forum

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Three of the seven Bradley County Board of Education seats are contested in the Aug. 7 county general election.

In a political forum last week, county school board candidates staked their claims to seats on the board for the next four years. Some touted their local roots, others pointed to a need for broader views.

They all agreed that consolidation of city and county schools would be too expensive. They discussed how to improve relations with the Bradley County Commission, which funds local schools.

In the 1st District, incumbent Richard Baker is being challenged by David Holloway. Mr. Holloway was Bradley County’s last elected superintendent of schools before the transition to appointed superintendents eight years ago.

In the 3rd District, incumbent David Kelley, the current board chairman and leader of the region’s federal Head Start program, is facing a challenge from Tommy Anderson, a Southern Railway worker and Baptist minister.

In the 7th District, incumbent Tom Cassada is being challenged by retired educator Charlie Rose. Mr. Cassada was not present at the forum.

Dr. Baker praised the work of former Schools Director Bob Taylor.

“If I am re-elected I want to keep going in the direction Bob Taylor has set,” he said.

Dr. Baker said he is not part of the good-old-boy system and his world travels during a Navy career will help him bring a good perspective to the board.

Mr. Holloway pointed out he was born and raised here and has spent his education career here. That gives him a unique perspective to give back to the community, he said.

“As far as being part of the good-old-boy system, if that’s my plight, you can label me as one of the good old boys, not one of the bad old boys,” Mr. Holloway said.

Mr. Anderson also point out his local roots, including three children in the school system.

“I am tired of the politics our school board has played with our kids,” he said. “I feel like it’s time we started working better with the county commission.”

Mr. Kelley said he and his wife lived in many places across the country before settling in Bradley County.

Mr. Rose recalled he went to Little Rock Central High School during the nation’s first racial integration years. Those years affected his choice of careers, he said.

“I was always taught, growing up, to speak your mind and speak what you believe,” Mr. Rose said. That would be his attitude dealing with the County Commission, he said.

The forum was organized by the Cleveland Lions Club.

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