Greenville School Board Election Results: Incumbents Secure Wins Amid Challenges
Greenville, South Carolina – On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, voters in Greenville cast their ballots in a highly anticipated school board election. By mid-morning, those arriving at the polling site at the Sears Shelter near downtown experienced short wait times of less than 10 minutes to register their votes.
In a significant display of support, all four incumbents facing challengers were re-elected, underscoring their continued approval among constituents. This election cycle was particularly interesting because three of the incumbents had approved a small tax increase last spring, prompting challenges from fiscally conservative candidates advocating for budget cuts. Furthermore, incumbent Sarah Dulin, who has always opposed raising taxes, was part of this close race, which turned out to be the most competitive among the incumbents.
Election Highlights
The election brought the promise of only one new member joining the school board during its next session. Scott Cline, a retired businessman, won the District 19 seat, previously held by Debi Bush, who did not seek re-election after serving for 28 years. District 19 encompasses areas including Berea and Travelers Rest.
In terms of performance, the Greenville school district has seen notable improvements in recent years with rising graduation rates and better test scores. Initiatives like increasing starting teacher salaries were largely sustained by last spring’s tax increase. Voter feedback indicated that academic success and school security were the primary concerns for those casting their ballots.
Key Results from the Election
Among the election results, incumbent Carolyn Styles managed to hold onto her District 17 seat decisively, receiving over 67.7% of the votes against her challenger, Lisa Bracewell, who garnered about 31.47%. Styles, the chairwoman of the school board and a highly experienced educator, attributed her victory to her extensive background in public schools, including her tenure as principal of a National Blue Ribbon School.
Scott Cline emerged victorious in the closely contested District 19 race, capturing 36.78% of the votes amid a crowded field. In second place was former teacher Amanda Stone with 30.28%, followed by Dan Healy and Robert Hamilton.
In another notable race, incumbent Angie Mosley won reelection for her District 21 seat against Steve Whaley, despite being heavily outspent with a campaign budget significantly lower than her opponent’s. Mosley secured 59.99% of the vote, emphasizing her dedication to special education issues and her support for last spring’s tax adjustment.
Glenda Morrison-Fair ran unopposed and achieved an astounding 98.57% of the votes, reflecting strong community backing. Michelle Goodwin-Calwile also maintained her position in District 25 with 51.58% of the votes, overcoming two challengers, while Sarah Dulin managed to fend off challenger Missy Marsh in District 27 with 55.87% of the votes.
The Significance of the Election
The success of these incumbents highlights the community’s general satisfaction with the current direction of the school district, especially regarding academic performance and resource allocation. This election marks a continued trend of stability within the Greenville School Board, which seems set to maintain its course for the upcoming term.
As the dust settles on this election, all eyes will be on how the new and returning board members address the challenges of funding, curriculum development, and school safety in the years ahead. Voters have made clear that they are concerned about the future of education in their community, and these elected officials will be tasked with meeting those expectations.
