The purpose of a community meeting held on Feb. 24 with Marlboro County School District officials, other elected officials, and community members was to find ways for everyone to come together.

The two-hour meeting was heated at moments with the public wanting answers.

Marlboro County Board of Education Chairman Jackie Branch said their presence signified their commitment to our community and its future.

Interim Superintendent Donald Andrews said the meeting was to see how the Marlboro County School District could collaborate with elected officials, faith-based communities, business partners, and citizens to improve the county.

Community members, elected officials from throughout the county, ESPAA and others were asked, “How can we work together to attract major industries to the camp?”, “What are the challenges that we face in regard to education?” Lt. Sammy Crosland of the Bennettsville Police Department said he was a product of MCHS and felt they needed to pull together at all times.

“This is home,” he said. “Why not support it. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t care.”

Dr. Damien Johnson said the best way for the community to work together is simple.

“We can work together,” he said. We have too many organizations who are working separately for the same goal. Let us get together and begin to really and truly work together.

The public was designated 30 minutes for comments with seven people allowed to speak.

One of the speakers, Michael Toms, said they “were not here to talk about personal things and I’m not going to go into personal.” He quoted the late Congressman John Lewis by saying “never be afraid to make noise and to get in good trouble.” Anthony Johnson said he wasn’t going to blame the school board but said things start at home. Johnson said he is big on education and that people need to start putting the kids first.

Heather Adams said she represented a generation of adults in the county who had the choice of coming home or leaving. “We chose to stay because we wanted to invest in the community and be a part of active parenting and volunteer.”

She felt the meeting was great but asked what the next step would be.

“Servant leadership starts with you,” Adams said. “It is bigger than you. It is about the children.”

Another speaker, Farrell Bethea, asked what the plan was for the district and how could a plan be developed with an interim superintendent.

Branch said the hiring of a permanent superintendent will be on the agenda for the March 7 meeting. At the end of the event, Andrews said there would be upcoming public forums at each of the schools in the district. Dates and times will be announced.