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Campaign Phone
8438092266
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Randy Smalls for Berkeley County School Board District 3
Education
Graduate of Berkeley High School
Experience
As a parent of two children currently attending in one of the schools within the Berkeley County School District, I have been deeply involved in our district for many years. My role as a dedicated community advocate, as well as a vocal supporter and critic of the school district, has given me firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities our schools face. This experience has fueled my commitment to ensuring the success and well-being of all students, educators, and families in our community.
Why am I running?
Our school board has suffered tremendously over the last 2 years because of the overwhelming distraction due to politics. Politics should never be mixed with education. The children in district 3, along with the children all across Berkeley County, should have access to reliable resources to ensure success.
I believe our hard working administrators, teachers, bus drivers and staff should be considered with any changes to our district policies. In other words, they should always have a seat at the table with regards to policy decisions that impact their work culture and our children.
Over the last 2 years, we have seen many great educators leave our school district because of politics and personal agendas.
I believe, as a board member, our communities, parents, students and every staff member should have a voice in the public education of our children.
As the owner and manager of a logistics company, I bring extensive experience in managing budgets, overseeing operations, negotiating contracts, and leading teams. These skills are directly transferable to serving as a school board member, where I can contribute to board-level negotiations, contract discussions, and offer valuable insights to the administration on key operational and financial issues. My background equips me to approach challenges with a practical, solutions-focused mindset, ensuring we make informed and effective decisions for our schools.
In my experience, effective employee retention requires a holistic approach. My first priority would be to ensure our current budget is fully optimized, identifying any cost savings that could be redirected to offer sustainable pay increases for our teachers. This includes reducing administrative redundancies and ensuring capital expenditures are as fiscally responsible as possible. While competitive compensation is important, I believe true retention goes beyond just money.
Teachers need to feel heard and supported. I would work to create safe, open channels where educators can voice their concerns without fear and know that the school board stands with them. By fostering a positive work environment, built on both financial and emotional support, we can address issues like class size, discipline, and curriculum, and ultimately create a district where teachers feel valued and empowered to succeed.
I’ve spent years as a community advocate, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, races, regions, and political ideologies. In my experience, the key to effective communication and collaboration is active listening and finding common ground on shared concerns. When people feel genuinely heard, it creates the opportunity for mutual respect, even in moments of disagreement. I believe this is the foundation for building strong relationships and working together toward solutions that benefit everyone.
