Soooo many people want to get onto the Charleston County School Board without running for election. What does that tell you? With a non-partisan Board, each individual represents whom? Himself or herself, of course. Fortunately, the CCSD Board does not have the privilege of replacing its own members. Thanks to John Barter's unnecessary resignation, that responsibility passes to the Charleston County legislative delegation.
Twelve people have put forward their desire to be anointed by the Republican-dominated delegation. Now we just need to figure out which ones have been recruited by Superintendent McGinley and her minions. Whoever is selected and vetted by Governor Haley will have nine months of Board experience before running for re-election.
Who are these people? None of them are household names. Only Charles Glover has served on a constituent board (#23 in Hollywood). Two candidates probably have close ties to the Superintendent, Anne Sbrocchi and Carol Tempel. They are also liberal Democrats, so you've got to hope that the delegation has more sense.
Do we need more attorneys on the Board? Seems unlikely unless one has some special qualification for the job. Three hopefuls are "self-employed" attorneys: Robert Ray Black, Elizabeth Hills (liberal Episcopalian, if that matters to you), and Tripp Wiles III. The rest are a mixed bag of experience, including a journalist (Edward Fennell), jazz musician (Ian Kay), life-long Charlestonian and synagogue leader (Burnet Mendelsohn), non-profit manager (Troy Strother), and marathoner and arts activist (Charles Fox).
Last, but not least, we have a private investigator, charter school organizer turned down by McGinley, and friend of Chris Collins, Howie Comen. We can assume he's not one of the chosen few! For his background go to
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120701/PC1204/120709960
Feel free to provide more information on the suitability of these candidates.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
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What we need on the county school board is someone who can cut through the superintendent's white wash. The board needs someone who can drill down into the facts and provide their fellow board members an accurate assessment. That person should be prepared to employ a healthy dose of skepticism on behalf of all, not just dutifully participate in district orchestrated pep rallies. For far too long the superintendent's office and special interests tied to the district’s budget have worked the numbers to paint a very inaccurate picture that is always favorable to the administration as it white washes the failures. The real image of Charleston’s public school is closer to mediocrity than success. Hope spring eternal. Perhaps the legislative delegation can sort through this. Find someone who can see things as they are and call them honestly.
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