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Brief Bio
I am a proud Beaufort County native, a graduate of Beaufort County Schools, and a parent whose children attend our local schools. With more than 30 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to helping students succeed, supporting teachers, and strengthening schools. As an educator, I am committed to serving our schools and advocating for for students, families, and educators.
email
ams91001@hotmail.com
I am running for the Beaufort County Board of Education because I am deeply connected to this school district—not just as an educator and school leader, but as someone who was educated here and whose family has been part of Beaufort County schools. I understand this district from multiple perspectives: as a student, as a parent, as an educator, and as an administrator.
After spending my career in education, I know that good intentions are not enough. We need a school board that listens to the people closest to the work, examines the data, asks difficult questions, and then holds the system accountable for results.
My three priorities would be student achievement, educator support and retention, and strong family/community partnerships.
I believe parents and educators have important, complementary roles. Parents are a child’s first teachers and deserve a voice in decisions affecting their children, while educators bring professional expertise in literacy, curriculum, and child development. If a parent objects to a book for their child, that concern should be respected. However, there is a difference between limiting access for one student and removing access for all students. BCSD already allows parents to opt their child out of specific materials and provides a formal reconsideration process. Districtwide decisions should be based on established criteria, educational value, age appropriateness, evidence, state law, and district policy through a transparent, review process
I would seek to strengthen and refine the current process rather than simply defend it or discard it.
The district has already established a formal reconsideration process, and South Carolina has established a statewide framework under Regulation 43-170.
My concern would be making sure the process is consistent, transparent, timely and understandable to parents and educators.
I would want several concrete safeguards. 1. Clear standards before a book is challenged. 2. A review committee with the right expertise.
3. Individual opt-out should remain an important option. 4. A clear timeline. 5. Separate local decisions from state decisions.
I would focus on reducing teacher workload and strengthening staffing support rather than adding new initiatives. I support a review process to identify when vacancies, large class sizes, behavioral needs, or special education demands create unsustainable workloads. When schools reach identified staffing pressure points, the district should respond with targeted support such as qualified substitutes, paraprofessionals, intervention staff, or other resources. The board should regularly review data on vacancies, class sizes, staffing levels, turnover, and workload surveys. Every board decision should support student learning while educators have the resources and support needed to succeed.
Equity does not mean giving every school the same resources. It means ensuring every student has access to what they need to succeed. Our schools serve different student populations and face different challenges, so resources should be allocated based on need. I would use school-level and student subgroup data to identify achievement gaps and areas requiring additional support. If a school has higher numbers of multilingual learners, students needing intensive special education services, or students performing below grade level, it may require additional interventionists, reading and math specialists, special education resources, paraprofessionals, counselors, family engagement supports, and targeted professional development.
