During early voting and on Election Day, Marlboro County voters will have a chance to vote for representatives for Marlboro County Board of Education Districts 7 and 8.
The candidates for District 7 are the incumbent, Danny Driggers, and newcomer Deborah Peterkin. The candidates for District 8 are Farrell Bethea, Rena Smith McLain, Leevander McRae, and Artemus Woods, Jr.
The Herald-Advocate emailed questionnaires to candidates to allow the voters to better know them and what they hope to achieve if elected or reelected to the board of education. Bethea received a questionnaire but did not participate.
DISTRICT 7
Name: Danny Driggers
Education: I graduated from Blenheim High School.
Residence: I reside in District 7.
Occupation: I am retired from the USDA.
What current or past offices or areas of service have you held /participated in?
I am a member of the Marlboro County School board and the School Improvement Council.
Why do you feel that you are qualified to be elected as a member of the Marlboro County Board of Education?
I support and encourage a challenging curriculum. I want accountability for all MCSD employees, training for teachers and MCSD employees, and school safety. I want continuing upgrades for MCSD. I want enforced discipline and rules, which will provide a better classroom learning experience. The qualification of a school board member is measured by what you support and strive to accomplish.
What difference have you made to the Marlboro County School District during your time as a board member?
In my time on the board, I have helped with the following: – Dual enrollment to NETC.
– Implementation of reading programs. – Promoting Adult Education.
– Google classroom implemented. – Remodeling and updating of facilities.
– Safety and learning enhancement to classrooms. – Track and football field refurbished.
– Track field had not been used due to deterioration.
The Marlboro County School District is beginning the search for a new superintendent. What qualities should the ideal candidate possess in order to lead the district?
The ideal candidate must have experience as a superintendent/leader. Other qualities include management of personnel; vision of a challenging curriculum; ability to motivate and evaluate; sets goals and restriction and be able to promote and enforce them; and a common sense approach.
What are the two top priorities that the district needs to address?
The district needs to address curriculum and attendance. And parental-community involvement needs to be addressed. The education of a child is not completed in a classroom. Daily experiences and examples help mold them into adults.
Name: Deborah Peterkin
Education: I have a master’s in special education from Francis Marion University.
Residence: Blenheim
Occupation: I am a Special Education Teacher at West Florence High School
What current or past offices or areas of service have you held/participated in?
I was previously the District 7 representative for the Marlboro County School Board.
Why do you feel that are qualified to be elected as a member of the Marlboro County Board of Education?
I am qualified to be a member of the Marlboro County School Board because I want what is best for the children of Marlboro County. My experience as a US Navy Veteran, former school board member, parent of children who attended Marlboro County Schools, and school teacher makes me qualified for this position. Marlboro County school system gave me, my children, and so many others our education foundation so that we could go out into the world and be our best. I want Marlboro County to continue to do that and to take their impact on young lives to a whole new level. I want to add my experiences and love for the children to the process of giving the children of Marlboro County the Best education possible.
What difference have you made to the Marlboro County School District during your time as a board member?
When I was previously on the school board, I helped with making policies and procedures.
The Marlboro County School District is beginning the search for a new superintendent. What qualities should the ideal candidate possess in order to lead the district?
The new superintendent needs to have a heart that is invested in Marlboro County. They should have a proven track record of treating both students and staff fairly. They need to understand no matter a person’s position in Marlboro County School District they are treated with dignity and respect. Everyone has a part to play from the citizens of Marlboro County to the superintendent. If we don’t respect everyone, we doom our district to fail.
What are the two top priorities that the district needs to address?
The first is to put aside differences and work together for the benefit for all. Second is to focus on the mental health of students and staff. As an educator I’ve seen the impact these last few years have had on both staff and students alike. Education in the classroom is evolving, it’s not just about the curriculum its about the mental health of all.
DISTRICT 8
Name: Rena Smith McLain
Education: I have an associates in business management and am a Licensed Realtor in Manufactured Housing
Residence: Clio
Occupation: I am currently employed at Cheraw Chevrolet Buick, Cheraw S.C., as a salesperson.
What current or past offices or areas of service have you held/participated in?
I currently hold the position of Chairperson for the Clio Christmas Parade-2nd year. I’m also a member of the Trustee Board, Joint Board and Missionary Department at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Clio, S.C. In the past I have been on Marlboro County’s Zoning and Planning Board; Served seven years as the Vice President of the Clio/Middle School PTA; Served several years on the Clio Recreation Department as a cheerleading and softball coach; Served on the Clio May Day Festival Committee.
Why do you feel that you are qualified to be elected as a member of the Marlboro County Board of Education?
I feel I have a combination of personal and professional attributes that qualifies me for the position. I’ve worked as a teacher assistant within the Marlboro County School District. This gave me a better understanding of the students’ needs and also allowed me to see how I could support teachers and other staff members in the district. As a parent of kids who once attended school in Marlboro County and now a grandparent of kids who currently attend, I am very passionate about the education they are receiving as well as that of other children who attend school in Marlboro County.
What difference have you made to the Marlboro County School District during your time as a board member?
Does not apply. This would be my first time serving as a board member.
The Marlboro County School District is beginning the search for a new superintendent. What qualities should the ideal candidate possess in order to lead the district?
A superintendent needs to be someone who came up through the ranks so that they have a great understanding of what it means to be a teacher and an understanding of being a principal. Someone with the vision and a strategic plan of how to move the county forward. Someone who can solve problems and who is a great listener, someone with high morals and ethics. Someone who is familiar with the demographics of the area, and someone who has a background in education and can interpret data.
What are the two top priorities that the district needs to address?
Two top priorities that need addressing are special education and special needs kids, and liveable wages for support staff.
Name: Leevander McRae Jr.
Education: I am a 2003 graduate of Marlboro County High School and graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2009 with a B.A. in political science.
Residence: Clio
Occupation: I am a program manager (Classification: Supervisor Case Manager).
What current or past offices or areas of service have you held/participated in?
I have served as a CDF intern, community activist, program coordination supervisor, mentor organization (Boys to Men), athletics coach and Director.
Why do you feel that you are qualified to be elected as a member of the Marlboro County Board of Education?
I feel as though I should be selected for District 8 because I’m a compassionate advocate for kids with supervision experience. I also am familiar with money marketing skills along with tons of training regarding establishing policies and prioritizing job-related importance.
What difference have you made to the Marlboro County School District during your time as a board member? N/A
The Marlboro County School District is beginning the search for a new superintendent. What qualities should the ideal candidate possess in order to lead the district?
The candidate should show actual statical proof of increasing grades during their respective tenures as superintendents or upper-level educators. Also, our potential hire should be very familiar with our weaknesses regarding the Marlboro County School System itself.
What are the two top priorities that the district needs to address?
The two top priorities in which we need to address are methods in which we should incorporate to increase our scholars test scores. Secondly, it is imperative that we thoroughly re-evaluate our district budgets accordingly to better equip our district needs opposed to irrelevant wants.
Name: Artemus Woods, Jr.
Education: I graduated from Clio High School in 1984. I received a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Morris College and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary.
Residence: Clio
Occupation: I am a senior chaplain at Evans Correctional Facility and the pastor of New Birth Baptist Ministries.
What current or past offices or areas of service have you held/participated in?
I am a former member of the Marlboro County School Board of Education, Dean of Christian Education of the Pee Dee Baptist Association, and president of the local chapter of SC Correctional Association at Evans Correctional Facility.
Why do you feel that you are qualified to be elected as a member of the Marlboro County Board of Education?
My experience as a school board member, my understanding of the role and responsibilities of a school board member, the extensive knowledge gained in attending school board conferences and training.
What difference have you made to the Marlboro County School District during your time as a board member?
While a board member, we were able to secure a resource officer in District 8. I held quarterly meetings with constituents and provided them with information of what was happening in the district regarding students, school policy, and concerns. Most of all, I served as an advocate for all students and families of Marlboro County.
The Marlboro County School District is beginning the search for a new superintendent. What qualities should the ideal candidate possess in order to lead the district?
Some of the qualities, but not limited to include: The candidate must possess the ability to work and collaborate not only with the school board members but with the teachers, staff, faculty, students, parents, and community. The ability to implement and follow through with policies and procedures as mandated by the state. This individual must be willing to get involved with the community to ensure they partner with the schools in providing necessary resources.
What are the two top priorities that the district needs to address?
The priorities are competitive salaries for teachers, instructional assistants, faculty, staff, custodial staff, and bus drivers; and recruiting and retaining certified teachers that will ensure our students are college and career ready as well as providing instruction in the latest educational and technological advances in the educational system.