School boards have been around since the 1600s, with community members overseeing the education experience for students, educators, staff and administrators.

Meeting once a month, occasionally twice a month, these elected board members gather to discuss school highlights, recognize students, schools, staff, and administration on their hard work, the progress in schools, approve new courses, and ensure that schools are following specific policies and procedures set into place.

Additionally, school board members approve budgets and the school calendar, hire and evaluate the superintendent for the school district and share a vision for the district on education.

The number of members on boards varies widely across South Carolina. According to the South Carolina School Boards Association, the smallest boards have five members, while the largest can have up to 12 members. Board members are typically elected, though some may be appointed in special circumstances. They generally serve four-year terms.

Lexington One’s school board consists of seven members: Kathyrn Henson, Elizabeth Shealy, Kathryn McCown, Michael Anderson, Chris Rice, McKenzie Flashnick and Nicholas Pizzuti. Lexington Two’s board includes Kevin Key, Linda Alford-Wooten, Christina F. Rucker, Craig Aull, Abbott Tre Bray, Mary Burkett and Liz Chitty Castles.

Lexington Three has seven members: Frances Bouknight, Cynthia Etheredge, Cheryl Burgess, Sonya Cary, Craig Caughman, Stacey Derrick and Gariane Gunter. Lexington Four’s school board has Quincy Sutton, Troy Harper, Cindy Dibble, Lynne Fallaw, Brad Frick, Sadie Wannamaker and Dennis Wilson. Lastly, Lexington-Richland Five’s members are Kimberly Snipes, Kevin Scully, David “Scott” Herring, Elizabeth Barnhardt, Jason Baynham, Catherine Huddle and Mike Satterfield.

Superintendents from each district attend board meetings, often presenting their superintendent’s report, which focuses on school improvements and activities. Superintendents also recommend policies and keep the board informed on financial matters. 

Lexington One’s school board has identified five key goals on their website: build effective working relationships and establish the framework that positions the board for continued systemic professional practices, support a working environment where employees have the tools needed and experience joy in their daily work while growing as effective leaders, define a clear financial framework aligned with a purity of mission including evaluation of current operational resources, keep a laser focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) by executing a well-defined five-year strategic plan and establish a constructive culture that honors the kindness, civility and effective communication of all members of the greater Lexington One community.

The Lexington-Richland Five Board of Trustees, for example, is the district’s official policy-making entity formulating policies to enhance education opportunities by interpreting the needs and goals of the community while maintaining communication throughout schools.

School board members attend executive sessions either before or after the regular board meeting. This session is closed to the public and media and discusses specific items such as employment, release of employment, compensation, demotion, promotion or about students. Members also might discuss security personnel.

According to district policies, school boards must maintain two-way communication with citizens of the district, informing the progress of certain areas. Ultimately, school boards act as representative bodies for the public in matters involving education.