Dr. Paul Kelley passed away on Sunday Morning. A retired educator and administrator, he went on to serve on the Knox County School Board from 1991-2004. In 1991, School Board Member Harry Tindell was elected to TN State General Assembly. Dr. Kelley was selected to fill his unexpired term and went on to be re-elected several times.

Dr. Kelley and I served from 2000-2004 on the School Board. He represented the urban Second District while I served the suburban Southwest Knox County Fifth District. We both were very passionate in the constents that we represented.  He believed that EVERY (including the ones that violate zero tolerance policies) student should be allowed to complete school. As a father of three students at the time, I believed that rules were meant to be enforced and that zero tolerance meant zero tolerance. So, Dr. Kelley and I had a strained relationship because of our beliefs. The alternative school at the mall was named after Dr. Kelley. The photo below is from the opening of the mall school.

To Mrs. Norma and their son Michael, my sincerest sympathy for the passing of your husband and father. We need more people that can debate the issues of the day like how Dr. Kelley and I did for a year or two.