Reuben "Buddy" Pelot
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Reuben "Buddy" Pelot was a candidate for District 5 representative on the Knox County Board of Education in Tennessee. Pelot ran for the seat in the primary election on March 1, 2016.[1] Pelot won the primary and advanced to the general election on August 4, 2016.[2] He lost the general election.[3]
Pelot and District 2 candidate Grant Standefer were endorsed by the president of the nonprofit Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville, who asked for monetary donations on behalf of his chosen candidates. Both candidates received $20,000 more in contributions than any other candidate in the 2016 election. Because the endorsement and donation request was emailed through a foundation account, District 2 candidate Jennifer Owen filed a complaint with the IRS.[4][5]
The winners of the 2016 race for the Knox County Board of Education were tasked with choosing the district's next superintendent, as Superintendent Jim McIntyre announced he would be stepping down after his three biggest supporters on the board declined to run for re-election.[6] Buzz Thomas was appointed to serve as McIntyre's temporary replacement.[7]
Biography
Pelot was born and raised in Knoxville. He attended and graduated from Knox County Schools. He works as a lawyer. Pelot earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a master's degree in education from Vanderbilt’s Institute for Public Policy Studies, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He and his wife have three daughters, all of whom attend or graduated from Knox County Schools.[8][9]
Elections
2016
- See also: Knox County Schools elections (2016)
Four of the nine seats on the Knox County Schools Board of Education were up for by-district general election on August 4, 2016. A primary election was held March 1, 2016. Jennifer Owen defeated Grant Standefer for the District 2 seat in the primary election. She went on to win the general election unopposed. The District 5 primary featured Reuben "Buddy" Pelot, Lori Ann Boudreaux, and Susan Horn. Both Horn and Pelot received enough votes to advance to the general election, where Horn defeated Pelot for the seat. The District 3 seat was left open for a newcomer. Tony Norman won that seat after running unopposed in both the primary and general elections. Michael McMillan, the only incumbent who sought re-election, ran unopposed in District 8 and won another term.[3][1][10][2]
Results
| Knox County Schools, District 5 General Election, 4-Year Term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Susan Horn |
61.07% | 2,210 |
| Reuben "Buddy" Pelot | 38.93% | 1,409 |
| Total Votes | 3,619 | |
| Source: Knox County Election Commission, "Cumulative Report — Official," accessed November 28, 2016 | ||
| Knox County Schools, District 5 Primary Election, 4-Year Term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Susan Horn |
44.86% | 4,364 |
| Reuben "Buddy" Pelot |
30.14% | 2,932 |
| Lori Ann Boudreaux | 24.99% | 2,431 |
| Total Votes | 9,727 | |
| Source: Knox County Board of Elections, "Presidential Preference Primary and County Primary — Official Ballot for Knox County March 01, 2016," accessed March 28, 2016 | ||
Funding
Pelot reported $32,925.00 in contributions and $32,925.00 in expenditures to the Knox County Clerk, which left his campaign with a $0.00 balance in the election.[5]
Endorsements
Pelot was endorsed by the Knoxville News Sentinel and by J. Laurens Tullock, president of the nonprofit Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville.[4][11][12]
Campaign themes
2016
Candidate website
Pelot highlighted the following statement on his campaign website:
| “ | As a Knoxville native, I am proud to be a product of the Knox County School system which prepared me for my bachelor's at UTK, a Masters of Education at Vanderbilt’s Institute for Public Policy Studies, and a law degree from UTK. I am also proud that my wife, Judith, and I have been able to share the experiences of our three children who have benefited from outstanding Knox County teachers and administrators, with one daughter now graduated from UTK, another attending UTK, and our youngest a Freshman in high school.
My wife and I have invested many hours volunteering time in our children's schools working with teachers, coaches, administrators and other concerned parents. And over the years, I have never failed to be impressed by the professionalism, commitment and passion exhibited by the teachers, administrators, coaches and parents in our schools. It is no surprise that the schools in the 5th district are some of the best in the State of Tennessee. After having invested so much in our children’s schools, as I have watched the Knox County School Board grapple with difficult and often contentious issues recently, I felt compelled to enter the race for the 5th District representative on the Knox County School Board. I truly believe that one of the greatest responsibilities of our community is to provide the best public schools possible for our children. Our children are facing an increasingly global, competitive and technology-driven job market. Providing a superior education gives our children the best opportunity to reach their potential. As one of the largest and most complex organizations in Knox County, it is critical that our school board members possess broad experience and proven problem-solving skills to lead the system in the best direction. The 5th District needs a representative who will listen to all of its constituents – parents, students, teachers and administrators -- and be willing to work to find the best solutions while serving the Board’s mission to advocate excellence for all children in Knox County. I believe my professional background as an attorney offers a unique background and perspective and the problem-solving skills needed on the Board at this very important time.[13] |
” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[8] | ||
Q & A
The Knoxville News Sentinel published the following questionnaire. The bolded questions were provided by the League of Women Voters. Pelot's responses to those questions appear below.
Is the current funding for Knox County Schools adequate? If not, how would you work to correct the problem?
| “ | While Knox County has an exemplary school system, it is apparent from what I have observed that the needs of the Knox County School system exceed currently available resources and offer students the best educational opportunities. The board must always be vigilant as stewards of hard-earned taxpayer funds. At the same time, Knox County wants to be able to offer compensation that will attract and retain the best educators. While there are factors at the state level that need to be addressed, I would evaluate whether any resources can be reallocated within the budget and work with members of Knox County Commission and the Knox County Mayor's office to determine if additional funding can be found to help Knox County recruit and retain the best teachers, increase access to technology for students, and meet the growing needs of Knox County's students.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
If you are elected, you would be involved in choosing a new school superintendent. What are the most important characteristics you would look for in a candidate for the position, and what should, at a minimum, be a candidate's qualifications?
| “ | A passion and vision for achieving excellence in public education based on significant experience in education. The ability and experience to effectively lead a large, complex group of teaching professionals and administrators in a way that enables Knox County to recruit and retain the best educators and administrators. The ability to effectively balance and administer a budget the size and complexity of Knox County Schools.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
The state is once again considering vouchers for low-income students. What is your position on vouchers?
| “ | The Disparities in Educational Outcomes Task Force is currently assessing and preparing strategies for addressing disproportions in academic achievement and discipline outcomes in Knox County. Depending on what is developed by that task force, I believe our community should be open to all options to immediately address the disparity and improve student proficiencies and achievement. If the state passes legislation allowing vouchers in Tennessee, then the Knox County Schools should thoroughly evaluate whether the use of vouchers would be in the best interest of Knox County's students.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
At present, Knox County has only one charter school. What is your position about increasing that number?
| “ | Again, I believe Knox County's board of education should be open to all options to address achievement gaps and disparity in student outcomes. As stewards of the limited resources available for public education in Knox County, Knox County's first charter school deserves close evaluation to determine the effectiveness of charter schools in our community and whether additional charter schools in Knox County would be in the best interest of the students of Knox County.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
Who should set the educational policy and direction for Knox County, the board of education or the school administration?
| “ | The board of education sets the educational policy and direction for Knox County. The board is responsible for assessing the needs of the system with the assistance of community input from parents, teachers, students, administrators, voters and community leaders. The board establishes the policy and direction that provides the framework within which the superintendent and school administration then administer the system. I don't believe the board member's role is to micromanage; however, the board is responsible for helping to develop the vision and mission through board policy to direct, evaluate, and guide the superintendent's performance.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
The board of education will make decisions about building new or renovating existing schools. With population growth and our school capital funding limited by current obligations, what steps would you take to assure that tax dollars are spent wisely for school construction in the future?
| “ | Timely, thorough, and ongoing evaluation of existing student populations, school facility capacities and population trends in the county is essential. For each construction project or renovation, it is important to ensure proper systems are in place and contractors are accountable for completing projects within budget. The board should work closely with the county to find the most efficient and cost-effective means for meeting the Knox County Schools' capital needs to provide Knox County students the best available environment for learning.[13] | ” |
| —Reuben "Buddy" Pelot (2016)[14] | ||
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Knox County Board of Elections, "Final County Prim. 3-1-16 and County Gen. 8-4-16 Candidate List," accessed January 19, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Knox County Board of Elections, "Live Election Results," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Knox County Election Commission, "Live Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedirscomplaint1 - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Knox County Clerk, "Financial Disclosures: Candidate Information," accessed November 29, 2016
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedsuperintendent - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedinterimdetails - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Buddy Pelot for School Board, "Home," accessed February 11, 2016
- ↑ NPAF, "Three running for school board, 5th district," February 7, 2016
- ↑ Knox County Schools, "Board Members," accessed January 19, 2016
- ↑ Knoxville News Sentinel, "Editorial: Standefer, Pelot best candidates for school board," February 7, 2016
- ↑ Knoxville News Sentinel, "Schoonmaker, Pelot, Povlin get endorsements," July 15, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Knoxville News Sentinel, "Board of Education candidates Q & A by League of Women Voter," February 7, 2016
| 2016 Knox County Schools Elections | |
| Knox County, Tennessee | |
| Election date: | Primary Election: March 1, 2016 • General Election: August 4, 2016 |
| Candidates: | District 2: • Jennifer Owen • Grant Standefer District 3: • Tony Norman District 5: • Lori Ann Boudreaux • Susan Horn • Reuben "Buddy" Pelot District 8: • Incumbent, Michael McMillan |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
