School Board Candidates

2A • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, April 2, 2014

School board elections

D 19 Coker

Evelyn Coker has been on the District 19 School Board for 12 years, and said she wants to continue working hard for the children and young people in the district.

“I think it’s going good,” she said about where the district currently stands.

Coker said test scores have been going up, and parents and others in the community are involved with the schools.

She said leadership teams – made up of teachers – in the schools have been working to create a better environment in the classroom. Coker said she wants to continue to improve the district’s core standards.

“Even with current budget challenges from national, state and local government, our district has managed to provide a quality education to Blackville-Hilda students in preparation for the future of social economic, and personal well being,” she said in a release about her candidacy.

“We have to put the children first in everything we do,” Coker said. She thinks the teachers and administrators are doing a good job, but added there is always room for improvement.

She said school officials need to work with local and state government to find more funding for the district. She said teachers and students need to have the necessary resources in order to be successful.

“Training and professional development is vital to administrators, teachers, and staff to the pathway of future growth,” she said.

Coker, who is retired from the Savannah River Site, said she enjoys working with students in the district. Her own children graduated from District 19, she said.

Coker said her community involvement – she works with the Blackville Community Development Corporation – is an asset she brings to the school board. ”With my experience, knowledge, understanding and community oriented background; I will continue to work with legislators to secure resources to improve our schools with programs that will benefit our district economically and financially,” she said.

Coker said she will continue to hold the district’s employees accountable for their responsibilities in improving the schools.

Vote in your school district’s election on Tuesday, April 8 Elmore

Faust

Ella Elmore knows the Blackville school district faces many challenges, but she thinks with hard work and unity the district and community can improve the education of its students.

“It’s going to take time and everyone working together,” Elmore said about moving Blackville’s schools forward.

Elmore is running for a seat on the school board because she wants there to be more opportunities for the district’s students.

She wants to see students become more active in school programs, like the band, she said.

She also said she will work to see that students’ standardized test scores improve. The district has received failing grades from the state the past two years.

Elmore has lived in Blackville since 1990, and is retired from Dayco.

She had a daughter go through District 19 and has been a foster parent for 13 years.

Elmore’s major initiatives are: •Focusing resources on programs that directly affect the students and their education.

•Maintaining the highest quality and most professional teaching staff possible.

•Providing teachers with the resources and supplies needed to do their job to the highest degree.

•Assure a safe, clean and healthy learning environments for the students, teachers and staff.

•Maintain a balanced budget and pay for new initiatives primarily through reductions in other areas of the budget.

Elmore said she has seen a decline in the district in recent years and wants to turn it around. Her main concern is building unity.

“Got to have unity first before we can do anything,” she said.

Elmore said she will try to improve the schools’ administration by doing a general review of how things operate. She said the district needs to find out why many students aren’t participating in programs and how to encourage students to get active.

Elmore said her “creativity, fresh energy” and “ability to listen to and understand people’s concerns” make her a great candidate for the school board.

Ethel Faust said if the educational system improves in Blackville, then the economic conditions will also get better.

Faust is running for the District 19 School Board and said it’s the board’s “decisions that affect the lives of students and their parents, the livelihoods of those the district employs and the economic well-being of the community.”

Faust said there are several issues the district faces, including “great financial challenges.” She said the board needs to work more collaboratively to engage and educate parents on being their child’s most important teacher.

She said the Blackville community needs to be more involved in raising its children.

Faust said she thinks the district, as a whole, is making progress. If elected to the board, she said, “I will be better positioned to truly know what the underlying problems are and then better able to support a quality education and better accountability for our students and community.”

Faust is a life-long resident of Blackville and is the executive director of the Barnwell County First Steps partnership.

She has worked as a business education teacher in the district and has held various positions at Denmark Technical College.

Her daughter graduated from District 19 and her grandchildren are at the elementary school, she said.

Faust said if elected, she will give the citizens of Blackville the “opportunity to share what their expectations are for the educational system of our community.”

Asked what she likes about the district, she said, “I believe the majority of our district believes in the work we are doing, we feel like ‘we’re One’ and that together we will achieve the goals that we set for ourselves.”

Faust said the key to success and prosperity is taught in the Bible, and she quoted Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” ”It is each board member ’s responsibility to make a strong commitment to working with others on the board toward the common goal of providing the best possible education for the children in the community,” she said.

Rivers

D

29

Martha M. Rivers wants to be one voice on a board which she believes is headed in the right direction.

“I am asking to serve my community and lend a voice to continue to improve the education of our children. I believe our schools offer a lot to our children in a friendly, community atmosphere, and I want the schools to continue to improve,” Rivers said.

“I do like the course of the district as a whole. The classrooms have been upgraded, and the administration is actively reviewing the technology of the school district,” she said.

The biggest issue facing the district in Rivers’ view is always putting education first.

“You must put education as the biggest issue, always.

We have an excellent district rating, but there is room for

improvement,” she said.

Rivers said the district needs to improve its technology infrastructure and support teacher development.

Rivers said the community atmosphere at the schools spills over into the surrounding area.

“We must work together as a board and as a community. The school district is an integral part of the Williston-Elko community. Many of our graduates stay in the area or return to this area at a young age. Their performance after high school determines the health of our community,” Rivers said.

Rivers is married to Douglas Davisson and they have three children, Emma, Maggie and Mary Davisson.

Rivers graduated from WEHS in 1989, Furman University with a B.A. in 1993, and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1996. She is the owner and manager of Martha M. Rivers Attorney at Law, a firm she founded in 2001.

She is a Certified Circuit Court and family court mediator, volunteer Guardian ad Litem, a former Board Member of the Barnwell County Arts Council and Barnwell County First Steps Boards.

She is also a business participant with the WEMS mentor program and a former business mentor for students at the Barnwell County Career Center.

“Being a small district, we face many challenges in meeting state requirements and budgeting. I hope to lend one voice to guide those decisions,” Rivers said.

Cuthbertson

For Ferlecia Cuthbertson, preparing students in Williston School District 29 for life is a top priority.

Cuthbertson, who is the Eat Smart Move More Coordinator for Barnwell County, said she loves the community feel of the schools in Williston.

“I love the open door policy and the communityoriented atmosphere of our schools. We are a data driven district in continual pursuit of academic success,” she said.

She said a passion for the community has led her to run for a seat on the board.

“I have a passion to advance our community within the target areas of education, empowerment and exposure,” Cuthbertson said.

“The ability to adequately prepare all students for the inclusion of technology into their learning environments and daily lifestyles with our ever evolving technological society” is the biggest issue facing the district.

Cuthbertson said she is pleased with the direction the district is heading.

“The introduction of collaborative planning days in addition to weekly faculty meeting for our district this year is perfectly timed with our transition into the Common Core standards,” she said.

“I would like to see expanded opportunities for our students within virtual education, dual enrollment and career exploration/job shadowing at the high school level,” she said.

Cuthbertson is eager to see the use of virtual education opportunities for middle and high school students, particularly in the initial eligibility period of seventh grade, which she said would allow a higher percentage of students earlier completion of core courses that are measured on tests like the SAT and the ACT. Cuthbertson is married to John Cuthbertson and they have two children, Jahrian, a sixth grader at Williston-Elko Middle School, and Jakeran, who is a student at Kelly Edwards Elementary School.

She is also president of the KEES School Improvement Council, president of the WEMS Parent Teacher Student Organization, president of the Community Uplift Program (CUP), and secretary with the Williston Business Education Community Alliance (BEC).

She is also a certified career development facilitator and a graduate of WillistonElko High School.

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W-E School District #29 Board of Trustees

Ferlecia Ashley Cuthbertson

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

#1001722463 (2col, 3.42in x 5in) 04/01/2014 10:39 EST

School board elections

The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, April 2, 2014 • 3A

D

Black

Cave

Daniels

Spence

In her 11 years on the District 45 board, Valenda Black has tried to provide children “exceptional education experiences”, something she hopes to continue if re-elected.

“I love children, know every child is a gift from God, and believe every child can learn regardless of race, social status or background,” said Black, who has more than 38 years of experience in education.

Black said she is “pleased, but not complacent” with the direction of the district.

She said they have dedicated employees, good leadership and students receiving state and national recognitions, “but there is still much to accomplish.”

One issue the district faces is fewer funds, partially due to a shrinking tax base. “We are challenged to provide every child with the best education possible with less local and state funds,” said Black, who thanks finance staff for working to save taxpayers hard-earned dollars.

Despite financial issues, Black hopes they can find funds to add enrichment courses, such as art at Barnwell Primary and foreign languages at the primary, elementary and middle schools.

She also sees the need to renovate or replace aging facilities, but that requires money the district doesn’t have.

“I believe our money should be invested in the classroom on our children and teaching rather than in buildings,” said Black, who commends the maintenance department for keeping facilities maintained as best they can.

She also wants parents and community members to get involved, a goal that doesn’t cost money but can pay off for the children.

Black retired from the district in 2003 as executive assistant to the superintendent, public information director and test coordinator.

She and her husband Danny have been married 43 years. They have two children, Susan Eichman and Gavin Black. Their four grandchildren attend District 45 schools.

Kimberly Cave is running for District 45’s school board to bridge a “communication gap” she sees between board members and the community.

“Accessibility is one of the biggest issues I see facing District 45,” said Cave, who is not happy with the direction the district is headed.

“School board members not only represent the community, but the students of the district as well, and I feel they’re not familiarizing themselves with the district’s school-aged children.”

Cave, a Barnwell High School graduate and mother of four, wants to see more emphasis placed on community involvement and getting to know board members outside of meetings. She said it’s not feasible for every parent or guardian to attend school board meetings, “but if more was being done to accommodate these types of situations I think we could save the lives of more children.”

She suggests holding functions such as a fun day in the park, visit your school day or community picnics.

“The more people feel informed and involved, the more prone they are to becoming active,” said Cave, who encourages parents to be involved.

If elected, Cave said she would ensure “there’s time placed within the month to visit schools and familiarize not only the board but myself with the students to establish a positive relationship with as many as we can.”

In addition to her job as an advertising/sales representative for The People-Sentinel, Cave volunteers with PEARLS, an organization she started in honor of her mother Pearl that focuses on enriching the lives of girls ages 6 to 18 through organized stepping. She is also a former Kline Town Council member and served two terms on the Barnwell Primary School Improvement Council.

Cave has four sons, including her oldest, Nasir Jones, who is a sixth grader at Barnwell Elementary.

Vanessa Daniels said she decided to run for school board because she’s a concerned parent, grandparent and graduate of the district.

“A big issue is creating programs for our youth that’s empowering, giving them an initiative to strive for the best and look forward to a brighter future,” said Daniels, who has been a part of District 45 since she was 10 years old.

Specifically, Daniels would like to see more afterschool and summer programs created “to keep our children safe and involved.” She cited the effectiveness of partnerships with the recreation department and Boys & Girls Club in creating programs that are helping students.

As part of that, Daniels said programs should be affordable so all children have the same opportunities.

“Although some of the programs are fairly inexpensive, some families just can not afford them at the lowest rate possible,” she said, adding how there should be certain criteria allowing those who are less fortunate to be able to participate in these programs at no charge.

While she would do her part if elected, Daniels said it takes the whole community, including parents, working together. “Parents also need to be involved with their children to strengthen our community,” said Daniels, a mother of five children – Estontee Glee (graduate of District 45), Jessica, Deidre, Harold and Joshua Daniels (a Barnwell Elementary student). Her granddaughter Shariyah is a student at Barnwell Primary.

Daniels works in the accounts receivable/circulation department at The PeopleSentinel.

She is a resident of Barnwell County, living in the Martin area. She said she has been considering buying property outside the county, but has no plans to move. “I put that on hold being that there are some issues with the property,” said Daniels.

If elected, she said she will continue to live in Barnwell County.

Teresa Spence is seeking a third term on the District 45 board because she wants to ensure children, including her own two daughters, receive a quality education.

“Our children are our most precious and valuable resource,” she said. “If re-elected I will continue to work hard for them.”

While she is pleased with the direction the district is headed, especially its curriculum focus and highly qualified leaders, Spence said there is always room for improvement. “I don’t want to just improve in one area or another. I want us to be outstanding in everything we do,” Spence said.

To do this, Spence said “we need to focus on our children,” including ensuring they are taught the standards outlined by the state’s department of education.

The biggest issue Spence sees facing the district is finances. “With continuing budget cuts from the state and federal levels, the district has to become more creative and innovative in raising funds and more thoughtful on what and how we spend the money we do have on hand without diminishing the quality of education,” she said.

It’s also important to “be more vocal with our state and federal representatives so they will also make education and our district a priority,” said Spence.

She credits the district’s employees with helping the district get to where they are now. “This district could not be successful without each and every one of them,” Spence said.

In addition to serving on the board the past six years, Spence was president of the Barnwell Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization for three years a n d v o l u n t e e re d i n h e r children’s classes for nine years.

Spence and her husband Dennis have been married for 18 years and have two daughters, Lynnsey, 16, and Tara, 14.

45

Lewis

David Lewis wants to use the systems analysis and problem solving skills he uses as a school psychologist to move District 45 forward.

“I view this as an opportunity to give back to my community,” said Lewis, who has 32 years experience in education.

The biggest issue he sees is ensuring technology is “robust enough to handle the online testing requirements of Common Core” – new state standards that will be fully implemented in the fall. Lewis said he wants to ensure schools have the resources to support the new reading requirements.

“Being a fluid reader is directly related to student achievement,” he said.

Lewis said it’s apparent District 45 is making improvements, especially at the primary school, which has made gains on state assessments.

“As these students move up to other schools, we should begin to see improvements in those schools as well,” said Lewis.

To keep the momentum going, Lewis wants more resources to help the upper three schools make the same gains. “One way to do this is to treat all subjects taught as valuable. No teacher should be told the course they teach is not valuable,” said Lewis, who also wants to see a “revitalization of community partnerships” where mentors help at-risk students with academics and self-esteem.

He wants to represent all stakeholders in the district while helping students and staff, who he said “are not just numbers and scores.”

The nationally certified school psychologist has been an adjunct professor at USCAiken and USC-Salkehatchie for 15 years. The Army veteran is a member of the Barnwell Lions Club, Barnwell Presbyterian Church, S.C. Association of School Psychologists board, and the Rockton Rion and Western Railroad and South Carolina Railroad Museum board.

Lewis and his wife Heidi have two children, Jessica and Bethany – Barnwell High graduates. They also have two grandchildren, Chloe and Robertson Weaver. Chloe attends Barnwell Primary.

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VOTE FOR • A Loving Mother of 4 With One Child In Barnwell Elementary • Monumental Integrity and Honesty • Effective and Positive Change • More Involvement and Input Within All District #45 Communities • Standardize Accessibility

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School Board Candidate

KIMBERLY R. CAVE (District #45)

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