A Note from Carol

There are four elementary, one middle, and one high school in Charleston County School District 9. The new single-member district includes students who live on James Island, Folly Beach, parts of Johns Island or the Charleston peninsula, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook, There are also a variety of county-wide magnet schools that students may attend through an application process. It is a diverse district, broad in its geography and economic makeup. These are my solutions for ensuring that all of our students attend schools where they can learn, thrive and grow.

If you share my belief, that all students deserve a quality education, please support my campaign. Join our campaign as a VOLUNTEER and DONATE to help us win in November. I appreciate your support.

Expect Excellence in Our Schools

Policy Basics

Schools should have the resources to develop each student’s potential and interests. Teachers should not have to use their personal finances for supplies. Equitable funding for schools is needed to help those students with the greatest needs including those with disabilities. Helping schools that are struggling is better than closing them. 

Schools should have adequate staffing, guidance counselors, nurses, librarians, mental health services or social workers, and access to psychologists as needed. Many schools need wrap-around services for children such as tutoring, health clinics, and after-school programs. Some schools need services for English Language Learners, GED preparation, and job training. 

Schools must be safe places for teaching and learning. Positive discipline policies, such as restorative practices, can promote positive school climates, build relationships, respect others, and reduce the need for suspensions, school-based arrests, and expulsions. Students with social, emotional, and behavioral support remain interested in school and achieve.

School facilities help determine the success of students and the effectiveness of teachers. Studies show the negative effects on student learning with poor air quality and uncomfortable temperatures. School facilities also affect teacher recruitment and retention. More importantly, they affect the health, behavior, and engagement of students. Adequate facilities make it easier for the school to deliver better education and adapt to the changing educational requirements of their students.  

These are the most important things we can do to ensure all our students attend a quality school.

1)     Hire strong and purposeful leaders to work with teachers and parents/guardians to create an organizational structure that is focused on teaching and learning. 

2)     Create schools that reflect the educational interests, values, and needs of the community so parents want their children in their neighborhood schools. 

3)     Provide equitable school funding to ensure classrooms have certified teachers with the resources most needed for an outstanding education. 

4)     Build trusting relationships between schools and parents/guardians to help children receive positive learning experiences and improve the learning environment for student success. 

5)     Expect schools to be places for students to have opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong learning, careers, and meaningful work. 

I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and questions. Visit our Facebook page to join the discussion.