Lexington 2 School Board Candidates Discuss Teacher Retention at Forum

Posted 11/4/22

Three candidates for the Lexington County School District 2 Board of Trustees took part in a forum Nov. 3.

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Lexington 2 School Board Candidates Discuss Teacher Retention at Forum

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Three candidates for the Lexington County School District 2 Board of Trustees took part in a forum Nov. 3.

Two challengers, retired U.S. Army Col. Chuck Hightower and commercial contractor and former board member Kevin Key, are running for the three seats up for grabs in the Nov. 8 election, while Board Chair Christina Rucker and Board Member Linda Alford-Wooten are seeking another term. Alford-Wooten didn’t attend the forum, but she sent in answers to questions, which were provided to attendees.

The forum was held at The Women’s Club of Cayce and was hosted by the Cayce Avenues Neighborhood Association, with the association’s Vice President Megan Lightle moderating. The small crowd was given a chance to submit questions in addition to the ones prepared by the association, with one question suggested by an attendee being asked at the end of the event.

Hightower leaned on something he said his dad used to say to him in explaining why he is running for school board.

“Ignorance is a crime if you do nothing about it. Education is a crime if you do nothing about Especially when we have voids that we need to overcome in order to make schools that are better now and much better later,” he said.

“So why am I running for the Lexington 2 school board? Well to employ not only a sense of integrity, and sound leadership, but to be a great team member, a great team player. To get things done. Be an advocate for children and teachers. And also being an advocate for parents, as well as the stakeholders.”

“I'm a very passionate person. I have a passion for these kids,” Key said in explaining why he’s running.

Leaning on his experience as the chair 10 years ago on the bond referendum task force that secured a bond of $225 million for the district, he said that through efforts such as the referendum the district has built the facilities it needs, and it’s now time to make sure what’s happening inside these facilities matches the quality of Lexington 2’s infrastructure.

Rucker likewise emphasized her passion for the kids in answering why she is running for re-election.

“I believe that all of our kids are a gift from God and that we all need to take the time to invest in them, and I want to do everything that I can to keep them safe and support them in things that help them grow personally and academically,” she said. “In the next four years, I hope to see our kids continue to grow and be prepared for the opportunities that come their way.”

In her provided answer, Alford-Wooten said she is running because “it is important to have a variety of views, opinions and perspectives on a board of seven leaders. My background in healthcare, my experience as a parent in the district. My love for this great community, combine to give a unique view.”

Among the issues that were talked about at length was teacher retention, with all candidates agreeing the district needs to abolish a policy that stops step pay increases for teachers after 28 years.

Key emphasized that this policy discourages the veteran teachers who are some of the district’s most valuable from continuing with Lexington 2.

“We need to retain them teachers, but you talk to them, what incentive do they have to come back after 28 years?” he said. “That needs to change now.”

Hightower similarly emphasized the importance of seasoned teachers, and like Alford-Wooten, he pointed to issues beyond pay. 

“That's our heart and soul of the teaching profession lessons and two, they are the mentors for the new ones that are coming in,” he said, emphasizing the district needs to listen to its teachers and respond to their needs. “We have to ensure that they feel good about being here, so that when the new ones come in, they see a seasoned teacher that feels good about being here.”

Rucker said the district started off this school year in a better position than in the recent past as far as teacher vacancies.

“But we do need more teachers,” she said, adding that solving the problem is a matter of finding ways to creatively relay the good things the district is doing to prospective teachers.

Safety was emphasized by Hightower and Rucker, with both pointing to the recent hiring of a safety officer to oversee the district’s schools as evidence of Lexington 2’s continued commitment to making this a priority for students and teachers.

Key emphasized general morale coming out of COVID-19 as an issue that needs to be addressed for teachers and students alike, and Hightower pointed to student mental health as a problem that needs to be addressed.

The final question planned for the forum asked about the district’s recent accreditation issues. An audit by the state Department of Education of transcripts at Lexington 2’s two high schools, Brookland-Cayce and Airport, found many issues, including a student at Brookland-Cayce who graduated without passing all required courses, leading to Brookland-Cayce having its accreditation status downgraded — it’s still accredited, but its status was dropped to  “accreditation/advised,” a warning that it needs to do better.

The question about accreditation was dropped for time, but Alford-Wooten answered it in her printed responses.

“Plans have been put in place that will prevent issues in the future,” she said. “This plan has been accepted by the S.C. Department of Education. I look forward to Lexington 2 moving forward in the future.”

The Chronicle gave the other three candidates the opportunity to send an answer to the question, which Rucker and Hightower did.

“The audit has been completed by the South Carolina Department of Education and the district’s corrective action plan has been submitted and approved by the state department,” she said. “The district has announced that it expects to have its full accreditation restored at Brookland-Cayce High School to an “all clear” status following the next SCDOE review. The district is responsible for following the plan and ensuring these issues do not take place in the years to come. The plan is very thorough and clear and the district has the staff in place to ensure the plan is followed.”  

Hightower said, “The fact we are asking this question shows a need for better communications. As a citizen we should be informed as expeditious as possible, integrity and communication must be a priority — people crave and deserve it.”

“Do we need to do a better job? Yes and they are working hard in that direction,” he added. “Many institutions are evaluated and inspected to ensure compliance, this is similar. Fortunately, this will not hinder our ability in providing a great and quality education to our children and superb support to our teachers.”

lexington county school district 2, november election, columbia education, teacher retention, brookland-cayce high school

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