Election Information:The Statewide General Elections will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Your address indicates you live in the district for this race.EARLY VOTING: If you prefer to vote prior to November 3, 2026, you can vote during a two-week early voting period Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 30. Early voting centers are open Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check the Richland County Voter Registration and Elections website Early and Absentee Voting | Richland County SC or https://scvotes.gov/voters/early-voting/ for early voting locations.ABSENTEE VOTING: You may be eligible to vote absentee by mail. For details on eligibility and how to submit your request, see this SC Election Commission Voting Absentee page: https://www.scvotes.gov/absentee-voting.Position Description:The nonpartisan board of 3 at-large members and 4 members who represent geographic election districts submits an operational budget to the County Council for approval, hires the superintendent, draws attendance zones, sets the calendar, and adopts policies for the board and district. Members serve 4-year terms.This race is for 1 at-large seat.
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Education
Graduate, W.J. Keenan High School, Richland County School District One, Class of 1994; Associate Degree in Mortuary Science, Gupton-Jones College, 1996
Qualifications
Owner and Managing Director of Myers Mortuary & Cremation Services. Business owner with more than 25 years of professional leadership and management experience. Longtime community partner and supporter of numerous Richland One Schools. 2026 Inductee, Richland County School District One Hall of Fame. 2024 Inductee, W.J. Keenan High School Hall of Fame. Board Member for community organizations including the Greater Historic Waverly Development Corporation, Midlands Habitat for Humanity
Campaign Phone
839-228-4103
Campaign Email
brianmyersforrichlandone@gmail.com
I support purposeful, age appropriate use of technology. Screen time should enhance instruction, but not replace reading, writing, discussion or critical thinking.
AI can be a valuable educational tool when used responsibly. Students should be taught how to use it ethically while still developing their own writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
The board should closely monitor enrollment trends, financial impact, and student success of charter schools. We should also understand why families choose charter schools and use that information to strenghthen opportunities within Richland One.
The board should support competitive compensation, strong working conditions, professional development, and policies that make teachers feel valued and supported. Recruitment brings teachers in, retention gives them a reason to stay.
Education
Lower Richland High School - Diploma; SCSC - BA; Cambridge College - Masters; Nova Southeastern University - doctorial studies
Qualifications
Retired Educator; teacher recruitment specialist; SC School Improvement Council trainer; education consultant; former State Board of Education member; former Co-Director No Child Left Behind at SCSDE; current member of SC Student Loan Corporation; current Richland One Board member
Campaign Phone
803-592-4013
Campaign Email
barbarafweston@gmail.com
Elementary and middle school students should use pencil and paper to complete assignments outside of school. Their electronic devices should remain at school. All students should have their screen time limited during instructional time and use their devices as resource materials not as the quick fix to get the job done when little effort is put into the process. We must learn and model what we expect from our children.
AI should be used as a tool in a person's toolbox. After creating an assignment or project, AI could be used as resource for checking or improving what has been completed. Parents and teachers must be role models on the proper use of AI at home and at school.
Schools in the district's footprint should work hard to partner with the district. Richland One Middle College is a prime example of an award-winning public charter high school of choice located on the Beltline campus of Midlands Technical College in Columbia. It's a prime example of how charter schools can work to benefit children in our community by providing dual enrollment, motivating curriculum, bridging the high school post secondary gap and working collaborative with community partners. Because the money follows the child to charter schools, free education becomes less available to students in the district where the money is designed to educate students from all walks of life. The district will have to be more creative in planning.
What I said in 2022 still holds true to date: I will be and have been a consistent voice for students and educators and I have followed through on concerns raised. I repeatedly urge the administration to improve teacher recruitment and retention, emphasizing the link between leadership, workplace culture and keeping educators in Richland One.
Over the years my titles may have changed, but my purpose has not. I have taught students, supported and recruited educators, and served in governance; every chapter of my experience has had one purpose: service to education.
