Election 2020: Candidate Q&A, Lee County School Board District 3
This year's race for Lee County School Board District 3 features two Democratic candidates: incumbent Queenie Boyd and challenger Joshua Caughman. There is no opposition in November.
District 3 is mainly the Bishopville area. Anyone who lives in the district can vote. To win the primary, a candidate must receive 50% of the vote plus one vote. Otherwise, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters on June 23.
Statewide partisan primaries will be held June 9. Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a law that allows any registered voter statewide to request an absentee ballot. Traditionally, voters must fit into one of 18 eligibility categories, but now anyone can request "State Of Emergency" to vote absentee.
Any registered voter can vote in the primaries. South Carolina does not require voters to declare a party, so voters can choose any party's primary to vote in, but you can only vote in one.
Absentee voting is open now in Lee at the county voter registration office in Bishopville, 101 Gregg St. Voting can be done Monday through Friday.
In South Carolina, you do not have to declare a party. However, you can only vote in one party's primary, and you will be asked when you arrive what ballot you want. There are sample ballots available to look at before choosing what party you want to vote in.
Keep following The Sumter Item in print and online at www.TheItem.com/election2020 for all our coverage of local candidates.
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Queenie Boyd
Why are you running? When I first sought the office of school board trustee, it was to make a difference for the children of Lee County. During my near 32 years of service, we have made significant gains, and I have watched the children of Lee County accomplish many achievements in academics, athletics and the arts. I am seeking re-election to continue serving the students, parents and stakeholders to ensure an effective and high-quality education that leads to college/career readiness for all.
Have you run for political office before? I currently serve as a school board trustee representing District 3 and am seeking re-election for an eighth term.
How long have you lived in Lee? Lee County has always been my home.
Current job/profession: I am a retired professional who is passionate about service to my community.
What experience do you have that makes you best fit for the seat? My 30-plus tenure of service on the Lee County School District Board of Trustees has allowed me an opportunity to demonstrate proven results, proven experience and proven leadership.
My service on the South Carolina School Boards Association Board of Directors as an officer in each position prior to being named president has given me the opportunity to work with school board members statewide and nationally advocating for all in public education.
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district/community, and how do you intend to improve them? Lee County School District is a rural district that has always faced the challenges brought on by the inequities and disparities of the funding structure for public school systems. I will continue to be an advocate for equitable funding and seek innovation to determine how to effectively address these challenging areas for our school system.
If changes necessitate funding, how would you want to move funding around or make it possible? As we stand in the midst of a pandemic, funding will continue to be a priority. There is global conversation that is long overdue. To make funding equitable, however, a small step for Lee County would be working with our local leaders to grant Lee County School District fiscal autonomy. In addition, we would depend on the superintendent and her staff to continue their tenacious pursuits of grants and other programs to ensure the continued success of the district.
What success have you seen that you want to continue/build on? During my nearly 32 years of service, we have celebrated many successes in our school district that I would like to continue/build upon, such as:
- Continuing to witness our students obtain academic success in our K-12 system to transition directly into the workforce, higher education - some through dual enrollment in conjunction with local colleges and universities - the military and entrepreneurship;
- 2001 consolidated high school to maximize learning opportunities and resources (with creation of Lee Central High School);
- Consolidated middle school in 2008 with creation of Lee Central Middle School;
- Much noted success with recognition of athletes, athletes continuing to demonstrate their talents at the collegiate level, and the earning of regional and state accolades, including consecutive titles;
- Lee County schools being the recipient of a historical grant for $8.9 million during a five-year period;
- Implementation of a district-wide uniform policy that ensures every child is able to dress for success;
- The board of trustees was able to refinance bonds that yielded a $500,000 savings for Lee County taxpayers;
- Our Media Literacy Team, which consists of our middle school students, has had the opportunity to interview former Gov. Nikki Haley during her second inauguration, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, and former S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers, to name a few;
- Elementary students have had the opportunity to interview Gov. Henry McMaster;
- Our high school band performed for Bethune-Cookman University, and our high school chorus performed at Carnegie Hall. Both have also performed at the annual state conventions for the school boards association;
- Class of 2019 earned more than $14 million in scholarships;
- In 2019, the school district established a drone program; and
- In 2020, a state-of-the-art STEM program began.
What is your vision for Lee County? My vision is that all students who enter the Lee County school system will obtain success and graduate with a readiness to compete in a global society.
Are you actively involved in the community? How so? I currently serve as an active member of the Lee section of the National Council of Negro Women as recording secretary; volunteer within the community to serve seniors and those in need of assistance; mentor for "Young Women of Distinction at Lee Central Middle School"; and serve my church in various ministries and community outreach.
Why should people vote for you? The current state of the world in the midst of this pandemic has yielded a loud cry for leadership. A vote for me is a vote for one who will continue to serve all of Lee County for its betterment through "proven leadership, proven experience and proven results."
Anything else about yourself you want to add? As a dedicated and lifelong resident of Lee County who demonstrates care for my community, all children and all people, I will continue to embrace positive change with intentional progression for growth - utilizing the necessary and appropriate tools and resources to meet the mission and vision of our school system.
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Joshua Caughman
Why are you running? Ever since I moved back to Bishopville in 2014, I have looked for ways to engage locally and make it better than I remembered from childhood. Closed factories and boarded-up downtown shops are what I left and also came back to. In the past few years as a Chamber of Commerce board member, I learned what industry and local business owners are looking for in Lee County. It's a sound public education system that will provide a trained and talented workforce. The three-legged stool of industry, public schools and taxes are all hinged on the school board preparing for the needs of future generations. Public education is the cornerstone of a growing Lee County. I know I can bring a new perspective that will lead us forward.
Have you run for political office before? No.
How long have you lived in Lee? 28-year resident of Lee County, four years in Clemson working on secondary degrees.
Current job/profession: Administrative assistant for the Lee County Clemson Extension Office.
What experience do you have that makes you best fit for the seat? Growing up here, I saw many sides to this community, and while I was away in the Upstate I became even more aware of the diversity in the world. Through formal and real-life education, I learned sound financial habits with personal and public funds. I have volunteered with local youth from 4-H activities to community Easter egg hunts. In short, I remember what it was like to be a youth here and know what it will take to make it better.
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district/community, and how do you intend to improve them? Lee County's greatest challenge is also its greatest strength. We are in the middle of everywhere, making it easy to go anywhere from here. I intend that when our youth leave Lee County they have a firm foundation to chart their own path into the world and that in the future they will want to come back and share what they have learned.
If changes necessitate funding, how would you want to move funding around or make it possible? Without doing a full audit of the school district finances, it would be unwise to speculate on what I would do. But generally, cutting unnecessary spending, namely redundant management positions, would be the first step. I would like to hire all local or South Carolina-resident teachers. To me, this would lead to a greater return on investment with our tax dollars.
What success have you seen that you want to continue/build on? The growth of Central Carolina Technical College and how Lee County students have been benefiting from this highly accredited institution is where I would want to continue building. Namely the expansion of the Lee campus for Central Carolina with a specialty area of study.
What is your vision for Lee County? My vision for Lee County is that it becomes a place that you choose to stay without feeling you have no way out.
Are you actively involved in the community? How so? Outside my day job, I am president of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a leader in my local church and an area naturalist. In my spare time you can find me in the garden, in the yard or trying something new.
Why should people vote for you? My goal in life is to leave things better than I find them for the next generation. This was my creed long before I was interested in politics.
Anything else about yourself you want to add? I am the eldest son of Jerry and Judy Caughman. Jerry has delivered milk locally for the last 30 years and also helps run Pig Creek Feed and Garden Supply. I grew up working in the public and meeting the needs of those in Lee County. I look forward to continuing this habit that was instilled in him at an early age. I started elementary school at Bishopville Primary and graduated from Robert E. Lee Academy in 2010. I furthered my formal education at Clemson University, earning a bachelor's degree in environmental and natural resources management in 2014. I also attended Central Carolina Technical College and Tri-County Technical College (Associate of Science in 2013) along the way.