Meet the Candidates: Colleton County School Board

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Charles Murdaugh
What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?
I feel I am uniquely qualified because I served two terms and have board training with the S.C. School Board Association.

What are three areas you’d like to change?
• Test scores
• Retain highly qualified personnel
• Positive parent involvement

How would you spend taxpayer money to improve the office that you seek?
I would use taxpayer money to only benefit students and for utilizing necessary strategies to obtain highly qualified personnel.

What is the one thing you want voters to know about you?
I am honest and dedicated. My focus is strictly on the students and the well-being of the district.

J.D. Davis
What makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ for this position?
I am uniquely qualified to be a member of the school board because as an educator who has worked with children from pre-K to 12th grade in the public school system, in addition to volunteering my personal time with children in the community, I bring a distinct perspective to what the school board needs.

What are three areas you’d like to change?
The three areas I would like to change within the school district for students, parents, and the community as a whole are:
• Greater accountability
• More transparency
• Better engagement

How would you spend taxpayer money to improve the office that you seek?
A core value of the district is to promote trusting, positive and productive relationships among all stakeholders through meaningful communication and engagement. Unfortunately, they have not hit the mark. I would spend taxpayer monies on solutions to significantly improve the school board’s relationship with the community.

What is the one thing you want to voters to know about you?
While I do not have a quick-fix solution to a long-term process, I am suggesting somewhere to start and build upon to change dynamics and make relationships better for the students; they deserve that from us.

Mary Jones
What makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ for this position?
I have continually served children and families in education since 1969, from Ivenia Brown to Jonesville Elementary and the vocational school. I have worked in administration for many years. I have also written grants, ie. for our children and communities in schools, as well as provided tutoring. I have the training and experience as a school board member.

What are three areas you’d like to change?
• Greater emphasis on technical education for early learners making the curriculum more aligned with industry.
• More college and tech school dual credit and degree programs
• Early childhood center for Black Street school.

How would you spend taxpayer money to improve the office that you seek?
I seek to make investments in our children and community. Taxpayers should always get a return on their money. I am a taxpayer, too.

P.A. Pournelle
What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?
I taught school for several years after graduating from college and have 31 years of previous service and experience as a school board member for Colleton County School District. My strong points were in fiscal responsibility and budgeting of the school district. Having been a teacher, I know and understand teachers’ needs, as well as taxpayers’ concerns.

What are three areas you’d like to change?
• Ensure fiscal responsibility

• Make sure the board sets policy and enforces policy and not micro-manages the superintendent, principals and teachers.
• Make sure teachers are paid more and are given their step increases.

How would you spend taxpayer money to improve the office that you seek?
I’d give teachers a pay raise and pay them for their steps and years of service so we can compete with surrounding counties. We don’t want to lose our good teachers to surrounding counties because of pay.
I would ensure fiscal responsibility, but not take away from teachers.

What is one thing you want voters to know about you?
I strongly believe in public education. It is the backbone of this country, and we must support it and be concerned about what is happening. I care very much about our Colleton County schools and their future.

What is the one thing you want to voters to know about you?
I am assessable (sic) to parents, children, the district and teachers. They call... I answer.

Other candidates
Sharon Witkin is running unopposed for School District 3. Patricia Simmons is unopposed for School District 7.
Tyeesha Aiken (School District 1) chose not respond to questions.