Election Day Results: Greenville School Board Incumbents Secure Victory

Election Day Results for Greenville School Board

Greenville, SC – November 5, 2024

On November 5, 2024, the residents of Greenville witnessed a decisive election as all incumbent members of the Greenville County school board successfully retained their positions. This election saw a total of four incumbents facing challengers, with each managing to secure their seat.

At the polling site located at the Sears Shelter near downtown, voters experienced minimal wait times, often less than 10 minutes, to cast their ballots. The serene weather, with a high of 67°F and a slight breeze, set a positive tone for the day.

Key Winners in the School Board Elections

Carolyn Styles, the chairwoman of the Greenville County school board, easily defeated her opponent, Lisa Bracewell, with 67.7 percent of the votes against Bracewell’s 31.47 percent. Styles emphasized her extensive experience and commitment to the school system, while Bracewell’s campaign focused on reducing expenditures.

The newly elected board member for District 19 is Scott Cline, who emerged victorious from a crowded field with 36.78 percent of the votes. Cline will fill the seat vacated by Debi Bush, who served for 28 years. The competition was tight among other candidates, with Amanda Stone receiving 30.28 percent, followed by Dan Healy and Robert Hamilton.

Angie Mosley successfully defended her District 21 seat against a well-funded challenge from Steve Whaley. Despite Whaley’s campaign spending being ten times greater, Mosley secured almost 60 percent of the votes, thanks to her established record on the board and her commitment to education issues.

Michelle Goodwin-Calwile also held on to her District 25 seat, garnering 51.58 percent of the votes. She outpaced challengers Greg Cantrell and Jack Logan, who received 26.98 percent and 20.5 percent, respectively.

In the closest race of the night, Sarah Dulin retained her District 27 seat with a vote share of 55.87 percent, beating community volunteer Missy Marsh, who received 43.49 percent. Dulin’s campaign highlighted her consistent efforts to limit school spending.

Context and Implications

The success of the incumbents is seen as an endorsement of their leadership and recent decisions, including the approval of a modest tax increase in the spring, which helped boost starting teacher salaries. The district has reported increasing graduation rates and improved test scores, addressing key issues that resonate with voters.

The school board elections are nonpartisan, requiring candidates to simply be the highest vote-getters in their respective districts. A notable aspect of these races is that there are no runoffs, even if a candidate fails to secure a majority.

With only one new member entering the board, the upcoming meetings will likely continue to reflect the priorities set during the previous terms, focusing on academic success and student safety. The voters’ choices indicate a preference for stability and experience in leadership roles for the future of education in Greenville County.