Bristol, Tennessee School Board Election: Key Candidates and Issues

BRISTOL, Tenn. — City voters should mark their calendars for August 1, as that’s the date of the primary election where candidates for the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education will be on the ballot. This year, there are three main candidates running for the board, two of whom will be appearing on the party primary ballots and one running as an independent.

Donna Kay Coffey: Democrat

Donna Kay Coffey, a Democrat, is a seasoned court reporter with 12 years of experience. This is her first time running for public office. She describes herself as someone who deeply understands the needs of students, teachers, and parents.
“I am an older woman and I’m familiar with the needs of students, teachers, and parents because I have a family,” Coffey stated. “You have to have a very listening ear and understand how much money is available and what we need.” Encouraged by friends to run, Coffey’s primary goal is to get more people involved in the school system.

Coffey is particularly opposed to the state of Tennessee’s push for a voucher system. “I’m always going to vote against something that’s going to take away money from the support of our poor children in our schools. Because, you know, when we’re having a budget crisis, we certainly don’t need to outsource money to other private schools,” she asserted.

Charles Taylor: Republican

Running as a Republican is Charles Taylor, an account executive at Burke, Powers, and Harty Insurance. He has two children in the city school system, one entering fourth grade and the other going into first grade.
“I’ve got two kids that are in the school system,” Taylor said. “So, I’m just hoping to maybe help make a better school system for them.” Like Coffey, this is his first foray into public office.
“I don’t really have an agenda going into running for school board, and I’m willing to learn and just want to help,” he added.

With federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds running dry and inflation on the rise, Taylor emphasizes the need for tough budget decisions. “The cost of doing everything has gone up with inflation. So, you know, repairs to buildings whether it be electrical, HVAC, roof, all of that stuff costs more money and some of the higher grants and things are starting to fall off,” Taylor explained. “There’s going to be less money with things costing more.” Though he doesn’t claim to have all the answers, Taylor is committed to learning and dedicating the time required to make informed decisions.

Eric Cuddy: Independent

The third candidate, running as an independent, is the current board chair Eric Cuddy. Cuddy decided to stay outside the party primaries to make a statement against the politicization of education.
“In 2021, a law was passed by the Tennessee state legislature requiring school board candidates to register with a political party,” Cuddy noted. “The independent designation is the only way to make the statement that the education of our young people has no business being politicized.”

As the regional vice president of Assured Partners, a global insurance broker, Cuddy brings a wealth of administrative experience. If reelected, he aims to continue the progress made during his previous terms, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“It has been a challenging but rewarding time to be on the BTCS Board of Education. We have worked as a team with our administrators to face the challenges of educating our children during a pandemic with great focus on helping our children to overcome and recover from any deficits during that time,” said Cuddy. “If reelected, it will be my intention to build upon the strong relationships I have with my fellow board members to focus on cultivating students who are ready for their future.”

What’s at Stake

This upcoming election will shape how the Bristol Tennessee school system navigates a host of pressing issues, from budget crunches caused by inflation and dwindling federal funds to the ongoing debates over voucher systems. Each candidate brings unique experience and perspectives to these challenges, offering voters distinct choices for the future of their schools.

As the primary date approaches, Bristol residents are encouraged to become informed about these candidates and their positions, ensuring that their vote makes a meaningful impact on the future of local education.