New Murray school board member Reed wants to ‘help lay the foundation’ for students

Published 7:14 pm Friday, May 26, 2017

Kelli Reed, the newest member of the Murray County Board of Education, said she has “two investments” that caused her to seek the position.

“I have two small children that have a long way to go in the school system,” said Reed, a 1997 graduate of Murray County High School. “I want to help lay the foundation for not only them, but all kids to have a better education and great school system to attend.”

Reed, lead foster care worker for the Murray County Division of Family and Children Services, was selected Thursday to fill the unexpired term for the District 7 at-large seat on the board previously held by Jackie Rogers. Rogers, who had served on the board since 2011, resigned on May 5. Rogers said he was selling his house and would no longer be living in Murray County.

Reed was one of 14 people who applied for the position. A school system official said two applicants withdrew their names (Joseph Norman and Beth Vice) and two others couldn’t make the interview (Chris Owens and Belinda Thurman).

Reed said she realizes the decision was not easy for board members.

“I’m very thankful I am the one they chose,” she said.

Reed has worked with DFCS for 15 years and said that’s another reason she decided to pursue the position.

“In my job we work closely with the school system,” she said. “A part of me wanted to get on the board to educate the school system more about what we do and offer ways on how we can help each other.”

Reed said she’d like to see sixth-graders in middle school and pre-k in elementary school. Currently, Murray County has kindergarten through sixth grade and pre-k is separate.

Board member Frank Adams said interviews began Thursday at 1 p.m. and ended around 3 p.m. The final vote for Reed was 5 to 0, board member Aaron Phillips said. He said he abstained from voting on her application. He declined to say why he abstained.

“Her enthusiasm is what caught my attention,” Adams said. “All the applicants had great interviews with the board, but she seemed to be more enthusiastic about the position.”

Each applicant was given five minutes to discuss whatever they chose, followed by answering questions from the current board members. Those questions included three goals they wanted to accomplish if selected, their motivation for running, defining the role of a superintendent and board member, and if they planned to run again when the term expires in December 2018.

Reed, who said she plans to run again next year, said she’s “excited and honored” to be able to serve her community. She said she’d love to hear any ideas people have for the school system.

“I’ll do my best to be there for parents and teachers and to support kids because they are the future,” she said.

Reed and her husband Jeremy have been married for nine years. Their sons Urban and Hennon attend Coker Elementary School.

Applicants for the Murray County Board of Education District 7 at-large seat:

• Carla Banks

• Celeste Bargeron

• Sam Bright

• Mark Buckner

• Von Caylor

• Thomas Keith Franklin

• Tim Howard

• Kay McCurdy

• Joseph Norman

• Chris Owens

• Kelli Reed

• Susan Ridley

• Belinda Thurman

• Beth Vice