Padron for Charleston County School Board!

Novel, isn't it? The idea that Charleston County School Board trustees should actually know what goes on in the district? Although Paul Padron could retire on his laurels, which are many, he's decided to run for Eric Mack's West Ashley seat on the school board. 

Either he's a glutton for punishment, or he's one of those few who care beyond their own careers about what happens to education in the county. Actually, he may be both.

Though he came as a four year old from Cuba, Padron has been on the local scene for decades. A graduate of Baptist College, now renamed Charleston Southern, he has been a teacher at Brentwood Middle, Associate Principal at Laing Middle, and Principal at Haut Gap Middle.

Special places are reserved in heaven, I'm convinced, for those who brave the tumult of middle schools!

Padron's record at Haut Gap was outstanding. As Lowcountry Source reported, 

"In 2007, Padron became principal of Haut Gap Middle School on Johns Island. Haut Gap had 198 students and was considered one of the most persistently dangerous schools in South Carolina when he arrived. He introduced the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program to improve behavior, and for the first two years, dramatically improved reading and math scores. In his third year, he introduced the Advanced Studies Magnet Program. The program was a huge success and attracted students from Johns Island who had refused to attend the previously low-performing school."

"Padron stayed at Haut Gap for four years and finished out his career with Charleston County School District (CCSD) in several administrative jobs including Executive Director of Middle Schools. His final assignment was principal at Deer Park Middle School in North Charleston. He was there for two years and [retired] at the end of the current school year."

"Padron wants to strengthen neighborhood schools, continue support for reading after the 3rd grade (where It typically ends), and give principals more flexibility in funding. He states, 'Human capital, students and teachers, are where money should be spent, not bureaucracy.'”

Oh, yes.🙌