Frank Kelly - School Board District 3

Frank Kelly, Current District 3 Bossier School Board Member

And Candidate for Re-election

When District 3 voters first elected me last year I ran on the principles of transparency, accountability, and fiscal conservatism.

My opponent likes to talk about her 8 year record on the Board.  I examined her record.  I have campaigned only on the issues, my qualifications and my opponent's record.  Some of her supporters think I have been 'mudslinging' when I point out my opponent's actions and record. Every School Board member's actions and voting record should be transparent and we should all be able to discuss them and we should hold them accountable.

This is how I differ from my opponent:

1.  She ran as a Democrat twice in District 4 which is 40% Democratic, 35% Republican.  She became a Republican to run in District 3 which is 53% Republican.  I have been a Republican since I was 18.

2.  She voted twice for the Superintendent's $50,000 pay raise and the $1,000 per month car allowance: on 8/13/13 in the Finance Committee and at the School Board meeting on 8/15/13.  Two problems with the raise: 1). It came at a time when no employee had a raise in 6 years.  We should take care of employees before management.  2). In my opinion, the $50,000 raise and $1,000 per month car allowance are excessive.  

3.  She always votes with the Superintendent and Administration (3 exceptions in 8 years 5/1/08, 4/15/10, and 5/3/12).  Our Government and our school system need Checks and Balances.  Only the School Board provides oversight of the Administration.  I have opposed the Administration 3 times in my first 8 months.

4.  She voted for a resolution to expand Pre-K in public schools.  This means sending 4 year olds to school.  I voted against this.  There is credible research that shows gains achieved in Pre-K are lost by the 4th grade.  Adding Pre-K in Bossier would add about 2,000 4 year olds.  That would require about 100 more teachers ($7m) and about 100 new classrooms ($45m).  Furthermore, Louisiana's Dept of Education has already developed educational standards for kids ages 0-4.  Once a new 'grade' is established for 4 year olds, what do you think is next?  3 year olds and so on.

5.  She voted for the SRO Agreement on June 5, 2014. I voted against it.  I did not vote against school security, SROs, the SRO program, or the Sheriff.  In my opinion, the Board and the Administration should have prepared a better agreement to send to the Sheriff.  The agreement is poorly written and doesn't specify what the Board will get for the $2.5 million we are paying.  My vote was to protect the Board and the taxpayers.  See the agreement and my letter on my web site:  www.Re-ElectFrankKelly.com  

6. She was President of the Board in 2012 when the Board purchased 33 acres on Benton Road.  The adjoining land is owned by BBS Properties LLC-a commercial real estate development company.  My opponent's husband is an owner of BBS and my opponent is an officer of the company, BBS.  What do you think happens to the value of land when the School Board buys 33 acres next to the land?  Do you think BBS benefitted from her actions on the Board? 

I have confined my campaign to the issues, my qualifications, and my opponent's record.  Furthermore, I have researched the issues and most of the documentation (deeds, Financial Disclosure statements, etc.) is available for your review on the home page of my web site www.Re-ElectFrankKelly.com   

If you are a candidate for office and would like to address the voters with your platform for office, please send a few paragraphs to mybossier@gmail.com and we will publish it.  Attach a picture if you like and we’ll include it.