Greenville County Schools Faces Competitive Election for Board Seats
Greenville, South Carolina is bracing for a dynamic election season as the 2024 general election approaches. Four incumbents on the Greenville County Schools’ Board of Trustees are gearing up to defend their positions against a slate of challengers, while Area 23 will see Glenda Chatman Morrison-Fair run unopposed. The Area 19 seat is vacant, opening the door for new candidates after incumbent Debi C. Bush announced she would not seek reelection.
Incumbents Seek to Maintain Focus on Teacher Quality
Among the incumbents competing in the election is Carolyn Styles, a retired school principal who has served on the board for four years. Styles emphasizes the importance of recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers as vital for student success. She aims to advocate for better wages and address teachers’ concerns to alleviate burnout and improve educational outcomes.
Also seeking reelection is Angie Mosley, who has also served as a trustee for four years. Mosley has been active in a recent five-year strategic planning process that focused on involving stakeholders like parents and teachers to enhance student achievement and teacher retention.
Challengers Bring New Perspectives
The challengers bring diverse backgrounds and varied goals to the table. Scott Cline, a business owner, stresses the need for strong parental involvement in education, aiming to foster partnerships between parents and teachers to enhance student outcomes.
Robert Hamilton, a branch manager at the South Carolina DMV, is advocating for a review of the district’s budget, seeking to ensure efficiency while decreasing tax burdens. He promotes the idea of prioritizing trade education, emphasizing its importance in the job market.
Dan Healy, another challenger, has vowed to prioritize school safety, expressing concerns about the lack of protective measures in schools since tragic events like Columbine. His candidacy centers around the idea of keeping children safe and addressing what he calls an “indoctrination agenda” in schools.
Former Teachers Highlight Current Challenges
Former Greenville County teacher Amanda Stone is running to represent Area 19, highlighting the alarming trend of teachers leaving the profession. With firsthand experience of the struggles teachers face, she feels strongly about representing not only her area but the needs of educators throughout the county.
Similarly, Greg Cantrell, a retired educator, aims to serve as an accessible liaison for the community while advocating for the needs of students and teachers based on his 43 years of experience in public schools.
Safety and Teacher Support Emphasized Across the Board
Both incumbents and challengers agree that increasing safety measures in schools is critical. Sarah Dulin, who has held her trustee position for four years, acknowledges the need for better salaries for teachers and aides, as well as expanding services for students with special needs.
Challenger Missey Marsh aims to work within budget constraints while advocating for a balanced financial strategy that does not increase taxes. She stresses the importance of transparency and collaboration in decision-making to better benefit students and teachers.
What Lies Ahead
As election day approaches, the candidates’ platforms will be scrutinized by voters in Greenville County. The decision regarding who will lead the educational direction and policies in the district lies in the hands of the community, with significant implications for teachers, students, and families alike.
