CFO's Letter Accuses Bristol Tenn. Leaders of Misconduct

A Detailed Account of Allegations and Controversies

A five-page letter written by Tara Musick, the chief financial officer of Bristol Tennessee City Schools and a former city employee, has brought to light several serious allegations against city and school leaders. The letter was sent to the city auditor and outlines various complaints that have sparked significant debate.

Musick claims that city leaders supported Governor Lee's Education Freedom Scholarship Act without consulting the Board of Education (BOE) and without holding a vote. This support was communicated through a letter sent to Representative John Crawford in December. In response, the BOE joined other city and county schools across East Tennessee to create a resolution opposing the bill.

The letter suggests that city leaders may have taken this stance to secure a $1 million grant for a new skate park, which was partially facilitated by Rep. Crawford. Additionally, Senator Bobby Harshbarger played a key role in obtaining these funds for the city. Notably, Harshbarger had previously voted against the Education Freedom Scholarship Act.

When asked if the grant influenced his vote on the legislation, Rep. Crawford denied any connection, stating, "Absolutely not. I mean we actually started this process long before the vote for the governors school grant come up."

Following the passage of the legislation, school systems were required to sign resolutions supporting a $2,000 one-time bonus for teachers to receive funding. Bristol Tennessee City Schools complied and also used reserve funding to give bonuses to all staff. The letter alleges that the "city council went insane because this would prove that we did not need funding for bonuses as they argued to the Governor."

Musick further accuses Mayor Mark Hutton of posting on the city website that the school system was in violation of the comptroller's guidance, which she sees as an act of retaliation. She cited the city charter and the lack of a vote as grounds to label this action as illegal.

The letter also accuses the city council of violating the charter and Robert's Rules of Order during the city's budget process in June and July. It states that the final budget was passed without a ten-day public notice or a detailed plan.

A city spokesperson responded to the letter, stating: "The City is aware of communication sent to our audit firm by an employee of Bristol Tennessee City Schools containing factually inaccurate allegations, including statements regarding the City’s financial practices, City staff, members of City Council, and other public officials. The contents of this letter are being reviewed by legal counsel."

In addition to the allegations against city leaders, the letter also addresses misconduct within the school system. Musick claims she was instructed by the director of schools, Annette Tudor, not to report the previously mentioned allegations as the school system's CFO. She also mentions that she contacted the school system's attorney, who advised her not to file with the Tennessee Comptroller's Office as an employee of the school system.

Bristol City Schools issued a statement saying: "At this time, neither the board nor the school system in general will comment on the nature or substance of the complaint."

The Bristol Tennessee City Council is set to discuss changes to the city's charter that would require all funds allocated to Bristol City School to go through the city recorder, who would serve as the treasurer of the BOE. Mayor Mark Hutton told News 5 that this potential change is not in response to the letter and has been in discussion for some time.

According to the letter, Musick has taken a leave of absence.