Sumter school board candidates for districts 4, 5 and 6 share their platforms; top quotes from 8 participants at Lakewood High on Wednesday
All nine Sumter school board seats are up for election in November, and the leading teacher group with Sumter School District hosted its second of three candidate forums on Wednesday night at Lakewood High School.
The district Teacher Forum, composed of current and immediate-past campus teachers of the year, organized each forum to consist of candidates from three districts (alternatively called areas), and all candidates received the same five questions selected based on importance from internal employee surveys.
In this election cycle and moving forward, Sumter School District's Board of Trustees is transitioning from seven single-member districts and two at-large seats to nine single-member districts, per legislation from the Sumter County Legislative Delegation.
Wednesday's forum at the Lakewood High School Fine Arts Center included eight of the nine candidates from districts 4, 5 and 6, which generally compose the southern and eastern portions of Sumter County.
Three incumbent board members were represented in the Rev. Daryl McGhaney (district 4), Shawn Ragin (district 5) and Matthew "Mac" McLeod (district 6). District 5 challenger Mary Singleton was the only candidate who did not attend.
About 45 people attended Wednesday, according to event organizers.
The forums concluded on Thursday at Crestwood High School (districts 1, 2 and 7).
THE 5 QUESTIONS AND FORMAT
To begin each night's panel discussion, school board candidates were given time for a brief introduction. Then, candidates had a two-minute limit to answer each question, all in rotating order.
The five questions were the following:
1) What do you see as the No. 1 goal to build trust and transparency?
2) What are your thoughts about the discipline issues in our schools?
3) What do you plan to do to make Sumter School District more attractive to potential employees in terms of improving salaries for all employees?
4) With the massive teacher shortage, current teachers are stretched thin to the point that many might leave. What will you do to address the concerns of your current teachers and to ensure that they remain in Sumter?
5) Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the Board of Trustees?
TOP QUOTES FROM EACH CANDIDATE ON WEDNESDAY
District 4 race
Tarah Cousar Johnson
On why she is the best candidate
I feel that it starts with a knowledgeable school board. It is time for change. It is time for us to drive the district's vision. It is time for us to assure that the district is operating on sound principles, according to school policy, according to sound principles and budgeting principles. It is time for us to ensure that there is accountability, transparency and equity for all students, no matter where they live or no matter what school they attend in Sumter County. And, lastly, it is time for us to serve as advocates for this school district and for these students. I am a candidate for a change.
The Rev. Daryl McGhaney
On the discipline issues in our schools
Where is the accountability? That was my song: Where is the accountability? There is a lot going on in the district, and I don't see anything happening to these kids who are disrupting the classroom, the kids who are fighting. Where is the accountability? Who is responsible? At the end of the day, my colleagues will tell you, the board is responsible. The board is responsible for not addressing the district's discipline issues. We need to be real and be honest. The board is responsible. And that is what I have been doing - where is the accountability? We need to these kids out. These kids acting up and don't want to be in school, get them out. We need to get our kids learning, so that they can compete in a workplace system.
Monica Squires
On why she is the best candidate
I listen and care about Sumter County, so much, and I decided to run because I felt there was so much negativity. You can go back and look at my record when I was on the school board 10 years ago, and I always vote from the heart, and I listen to people. And I want to tell you when the first superintendent was hired, Mr. Bynum, I and one other board member did not vote for him. So, I am not scared to vote from my heart and what I feel is best for this county.
The Rev. Leon Winn
On the discipline issues in our schools
Student discipline is lacking with our school board. My challenge is this: We can say what needs to be done, but when you have the opportunity to do it and it's not done, then it's time for a change. We cannot keep going down the same old road and think we are going to get different results You keep using the same people, you are going to get the same results. We need to change to eradicate what is going on in our school system. We are failing. We have got to support our teachers, and we got to support our administration.
District 5 race
Shawn Ragin
On how to improve salaries for all employees
As a board member, you are going to always have to come into this with the mindset and the willingness to work as a unified board. From past experiences, you are not going to be able to get anything accomplished - including making the district attractive - until you understand that we all have to work together. I have to commend the Sumter School District board for the work it is currently doing in terms of our salary study. We finally wanted to take an approach to move forward with doing a salary study. As we continue to move forward, I think there is hope in making sure that we address the issues we currently face in making the district attractive.
Mary Singleton (not in attendance)
District 6 race
Matthew "Mac" McLeod
On how to address the teacher shortage and ensure that they remain in Sumter
Teachers need to be treated like the professionals they are. As a board member, we receive calls from teachers with concerns, and I always take them to the superintendent, which is what a board member is supposed to do. I would recommend more collaboration between the teachers, the board and the superintendent. Also, more partnerships with the colleges and universities to grow our own teachers, teacher-leaders and administrators.
Venitia Reebel
On how to improve salaries for all employees
I definitely think we need to raise the salaries of our teachers and school workers. So they don't have to be working two or three jobs, but they can put the time in to hone their craft and give them the time to maybe go to a conference and see value in what they are doing. Also, it's not just about the monetary value. Perhaps more autonomy and less time having to deal with student discipline issues.
Robby Robinson
On why he is the best candidate
There are some tough choices that have to made and must be said out loud, and the public must hear it. I will stand by those choices because I understand by not making them is going to hurt our children. They are going to hurt our community. They are going to hurt our state. They are going to hurt the United States of America. We have to stop the bleeding of our school board now. By doing that, it has to have change.