The 2024 General Election will be held Tuesday, November 5 and will include this race. Your address indicates you live in the district for this race.To find your election day polling location, go to: https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=PollingPlaceOr you can vote early during a 2-week early voting period at your County Voter Registration and Elections Office and other early voting locations October 21 until November 2 except Sundays. See:https://www.scvotes.gov/early-votingOr you may be eligible to vote absentee by mail. For details on eligibility and how to submit your request, see:https://www.scvotes.gov/absentee-votingPosition Description: Lexington-Richland District Five School Board - Richland CountyThe nonpartisan board determines the operational budget, hires the superintendent, draws attendance zones, sets the calendar, and adopts policies for the board and district. Lexington County residents elect 4 members, and Richland County residents elect 3 members, each serving 4-year terms.This race is for 1 Richland County seat.
Campaign Phone
8036342367
Campaign Email
jbaynhamfordistrict5@gmail.com
Education
Honors Graduate from Silver Bluff High School, Aiken County / Certified Horticulturalist, Horticultural Certificate, ATC
Qualifications
Experienced in Management, budgeting, organization, and resource management. Father of 3 current District 5 students.
Following our new state guidelines that protect against inappropriate sexually explicit material as explained in proviso 27.1 passed in our State budget this year. We expect the librarians and administration to utilize excellent judgement when procuring books and supplemental materials for our schools.
One of my platform topics is the Special needs community within our district. We must do an even better job to allocate resources to these classrooms and fast track approval for additional classroom Aid positions when requested. We also must distribute the same amount of resources to all district 5 schools. We have students attending schools in major need of repairs and updated technology along with safety equipment. We must focus on additional problems and deficiencies before additional construction projects begin.
Our first step must be raising Teacher pay to $50k per year before any bonuses or special incentives. We must offer raises every year based off of performance and goals. We cannot have newly recruited teachers either fresh from college or newly hired making more than tenured teachers with advanced degrees because of "cap out" reasons. If we have millions for athletics, we have money for teacher pay. We must also expect administrators from all schools and district staff to support teachers in their jobs and provide them with resources to be successful and advance the goal of educating our students.
Top priority is stopping the loss of teachers to other districts and jobs. We need an increase in pay to 50k now. We need to address urgent safety concerns and HVAC issues affecting our students and staff. We need to slow down on large construction projects until all safety issues are resolved and teacher pay is at 50k. From there I want to introduce a district wide sports program specifically for our special needs students to participate in.
Campaign Phone
803-602-4113
Campaign Email
mikewardfortheboard@gmail.com
Education
Completed some college; Completed several professional development programs; Completed the Non-Profit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University
Qualifications
Mike Ward has been a dedicated advocate for public education since 2016, with extensive involvement in the District 5 school system. As a father of two children currently in the district, Mike’s passion for ensuring the success of all students is personal and drives his commitment to meaningful change. He has served on the Dutch Fork Elementary School Improvement Council and in leadership roles within the South Carolina PTA, working closely with teachers, parents, and administrators to improve resources and learning environments.
Textbooks and library books should be selected following the existing policy, which ensures a thoughtful and balanced approach. It's important to adhere to applicable laws to guarantee materials meet educational standards. If concerns arise about the materials being chosen, it may be necessary to revisit and refine the policy. Our priority should always be to provide resources that support the diverse needs of our students and align with their academic and personal development.
I have been actively advocating for underserved students through my work with PTA and School Improvement Council (SIC) groups, ensuring their needs and concerns are brought to the forefront. I believe in listening to our community members and amplifying their voices to the district leadership. As a school board member, I would continue these efforts, fostering communication and pushing for resources and policies that support all students, particularly those who need it most, to help them succeed.
District 5 made progress this year, starting with only 8 teacher vacancies, a significant improvement from last year. This shows the District Office’s efforts are working, and we should continue to support them. However, addressing the teacher shortage is a long-term challenge that requires consistent effort. We need to focus on improving the work environment for teachers by providing the resources and respect they need to thrive. By fostering a supportive and rewarding environment, we can attract and retain talented educators who want to be a part of District 5’s success.
If elected, my priorities will be focused on three key areas:
Health & Safety: Ensuring that all students have a safe and supportive learning environment is essential for their success.
Supporting Teachers: Our educators need the resources, respect, and support to thrive in their classrooms. I will advocate for policies that empower teachers to do their best work.
Strong Schools, Strong Communities: When we invest in our schools, we invest in the future of our communities. I will work to strengthen the bond between schools and the neighborhoods they serve.
