Community, leaders say 'it's time to get it right'

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"Let's get this right this time and realize our full potential."

That was a theme mentioned Thursday night by some local residents at a community forum at Sumter High School on the district's superintendent search process, which has just begun. And, according to the lead consultant with the firm assisting Sumter School District in the search for its next leader, it was also a common theme in focus group meetings throughout last week.

It has been eight years since the Sumter County Legislative Delegation consolidated Districts 2 and 17 into one in Sumter. Some forum attendees said it's been a tug-of-war since then between the former two boards who attendees say have been unable to work together, and two superintendents have left the head job unceremoniously and under turmoil.

Kevin Castner with search consulting firm B.W.P. and Associates facilitated the forum at Sumter High and said it is now time for everyone to be "one Sumter" - a theme often used by some groups throughout the community, supporting a spirit of cooperation in the diverse county.

Castner said Sumter's diversity is represented in the fact that it's racially mixed (about a 50-50 ratio of blacks and whites), contains differing city and rural landscapes and has a significant military population component with Shaw Air Force Base in the county.

"It's 'one Sumter' now," Castner said. "People have got to get over the past. The point is during the process with the board and the new leader, you can't ignore that you must have a game plan to continue to move forward.

"We already know what the 'what is' that you all have talked about tonight. You've got to reach a point now where you say, 'So, what? Now, what?' The issue now is 'now what?' And that's what everybody has to learn. Obviously, it's been hard, but we must go forward, and this search process opportunity gives everybody that chance."

At the forum, Castner solicited responses from the 25 attendees on what the district's strengths and challenges are and what characteristics people are looking for in the next superintendent.

Many in attendance said the district's dedicated teachers and staff are one of its biggest strengths.

"We need to be sure we get this right because it's critically important for our children and also for the future of this community," said Bryan Funke, a doctor whose children attended Sumter public schools. "We need to prep our kids for life, whether that be college or get them ready for the area workforce. We need to get them ready to be responsible citizens and good employees in order to move this community forward to where it needs to go."

Funke said he thinks the school board hasn't gotten the superintendent search right in the past. Other challenges, he said, the district faces now include dealing with its rural communities, where earlier this year it closed two low-enrollment schools, which is always a delicate decision. Also, Sumter County Council has not granted the district a millage increase for the last two years, showcasing differences in leaders' opinions. Funke also said the board needs to be more transparent in its actions.

Castner said the board has the obligation to get it right this time in the search process for its new leader.

With more than 40 years of experience in public education, including 11 years as a superintendent, Castner said he thinks the district is now building on good points and that Interim Superintendent Debbie Hamm has done a nice job in the post. Hamm began her position on Aug. 1, 2017, and this school year is her second and final year with the district.

Stephanie Harper, a teacher at Oakland Primary School, said she has been with the district for eight years, dating back to the consolidation, and that now is the first time she has felt appreciated. She said other teachers feel the same way.

Harper said one of Hamm's strengths has been to bridge community involvement. She referenced the district's first-ever professional development conference last summer, among other items.

"That conference was amazing and collaborative," Harper said. "I have never felt more appreciated by Sumter School District than at the conference."

On Thursday, B.W.P. also facilitated community forums at Lakewood and Crestwood high schools. A total of 36 residents attended the Lakewood forum, and 17 were at the Crestwood event, Castner said.

Including the focus group events with community leaders, Castner said his team had 29 meetings last week with more than 250 people to gather input on the superintendent search.

Special-called meeting Monday night

B.W.P. and Associates will report its findings and a draft leadership profile for the next superintendent to the Board of Trustees on Monday at a special called meeting at the district office, 1345 Wilson Hall Road.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. and, like all board-related meetings, is open to the public. Public participation is not on the agenda.