Rhetoric vs. Reality: Frank Freels Edition

Parent-led advocacy group Strong Schools released results from a survey of County Commission candidates.  The survey asked questions about where the candidates stand on issues related to Sumner County Schools.

A number of incumbent County Commissioners chose not to respond to the survey.  However, 4th District incumbent Frank Freels did respond.  Interestingly, his responses were at variance with some of his recent votes on the County Commission.

For example, on his list of priorities, he mentions that he wants to "continue to create safe school buildings that are a clean, nice environment for students and teachers to learn and work in."

This in spite of his votes against funding the school system budgets in 2011 and 2012. 

Not only did he oppose the initial budgets, his vote in 2012 to reallocated capital dollars to the school system's general fund meant that additions at Hendersonville and Gallatin high schools were delayed. That means more kids were in portable classrooms instead of fixed school buildings. 

On the issue of whether or not teachers and staff are paid appropriately, Freels notes he "Somewhat Disagrees" and calls for respectful compensation levels for teachers and support staff.

Here again, Freels' votes tell a different story.  Freels repeatedly voted to provide raises for County employees while denying the School Board the funds to give their employees raises.  He voted against initial school budgets in 2011 and 2012 that would have increased compensation for support staff. He voted to allow the County Insurance Trust to keep employee premiums artificially low while the insurance premiums for teachers continued to rise based on market rates.

Finally, Freels notes Dr. Phillips has done a great job communicating the needs of the school system.

And, while he may believe that, his County Commission votes have been consistently against funding the needs he is applauding Dr. Phillips for properly pointing out. Here's just one example.

If you're an incumbent with a voting record and you fill out a candidate survey, you should be sure your answers line up with the record.