Schools and offices will open two hours later than normal. However, the school day will conclude at its regular time.

Bus routes will begin to run two hours later than the usual schedule and will avoid specific icy roads considered impassable. Students on these impacted routes will be noticed by the district’s transportation department. 

For more information, visit https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/News/main.asp?titleid=2501delay. 

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PowerSchool, a cloud-based software used for K-12 education, notified the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDOE) of the incident on Jan. 7, which compromised personally identifiable information for students and staff. 

Greenville County Schools shared in a statement that no data from the district was affected or compromised by the cybersecurity breach. This was confirmed by an internal district investigation, PowerSchool and SCDOE.

According to GCS, the district provides PowerSchool with limited access to data and has additional security measures in place to protect students and educators’ personal information. 

“In 2023, Greenville County Schools became the first, and remains the only, school district in the nation to earn ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security, which means we have a system in place to manage risks related to the security of district data and that the system respects all the best practices and principles,” according to a GCS statement. 

PowerSchool informed SCDOE that the breach has been contained and has taken steps to secure its systems. The state department shared in a statement that is working with legal counsel, the State Law Enforcement Division, the Attorney General’s office and local school districts to determine the next steps. 

“While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident.  We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver

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Parents and guardians work with teachers, district personnel, counselors and others to ensure each child receives the services they need to succeed in school. GCS has 12,588 students with disabilities, each with an individualized education plan required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

A group of moms are advocating for a similar collaborative effort between parents and the school district through the creation of a special education advisory council to address districtwide issues. Parents, students, special education teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, district personnel and others would be on the council. 

Allison Huffstutler, a GCS parent advocating for the council, said a special education advisory council would specifically help parents have a seat at the table to work in collaboration with the district to address systemic special education issues. 

“We’re not looking to fix 12,588 plans,” Huffstutler said. “We’re looking through some broader issues that we are seeing consistently from all of these phone calls we receive. Those are the things we want to talk about and address.”

Systemic change 

Creating a special education advisory council is not a new concept. Advisory councils have been formed by school districts across the country including in California, Kansas, Massachusetts and more.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Center for Parent Information and Resources created a 67-page guide to help districts effectively form local special education parent advisory councils.

According to the guide, these types of advisory councils are used to look at systemwide issues that affect more than one student or family in the district. The council would then be able to advise, advocate and offer guidance to district leadership on how to solve the issues.

Amy Hibbs, a GCS parent advocating for the advisory council, believes several systemic issues concerning special education need to be addressed by GCS, including improved communication between parents and schools. She said issues can include things like parents having access to their student’s test scores or receiving regular updates on what their children are learning about in school.

Another issue parents have identified is a need for more support during the transitioning process of students with disabilities. This includes when a student moves up through grade levels and schools, and even after graduation.

“For a lot of students with disabilities it can be challenging because, depending on their disability, they might be very comfortable with where they are,” Huffstutler said. “They don’t like change. It’s a new environment. There’s a new navigation.”

Huffstutler said the council would hold parent meetings to learn about the other systemic issues that are impacting special education services. These talking points would then be brought before the entire board during regular joint meetings with the district to discuss and work on.

Ongoing advocacy

Hibbs, Huffstutler and three other GCS parents formed an advocacy group at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year to explore the idea of a special education advisory council. The group advocated for the council at several GCS board of trustees meetings.

The board of trustees received a presentation on the district’s special education services during its Nov. 14 Committee of the Whole meeting. During the meeting, the district announced it would commission an external review of the district’s special education services. The last comprehensive external review was conducted in 2014, a process that did not collect parent input.

District leaders believe the external review could provide guidance on whether a special education advisory council should be established. Superintendent Burke Royster said the third-party experts can also share more information on what advisory councils do in other districts and the best way to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their voices heard.

“I’m not ruling it out. I want to see what this external review says,” Royster said.

GCS released a request-for-proposals to find a third-party expert to conduct the review. Royster provided an update on the process during the Dec. 10 meeting of the Board of Trustees. He shared that six proposals have been submitted and they hope to select a consultant by January.

As part of the review process, the district plans to survey the parents and guardians of every GCS student with disabilities at the beginning of 2025. In-person forums will also be held throughout the district to collect more parent input.

Following these meetings, the district will select parents in each of the 13 federal disability categories to participate in a “Shared Ownership Summit.” This summit will also include general education parents, special education teachers, general education teachers, special education staff, administrators and community partners.

Royster said the recommendations and comments compiled during the summit will be shared with the third-party consultant completing the external review. The information will be included in the team’s final report which is expected to be done – at the earliest – in spring 2025.

State-level advocacy efforts are also being made for local special education advisory councils. South Carolina has a statewide council that advises the state Department of Education on the needs of students receiving special education services.

A majority of the South Carolina Advisory Council for Educating Students with Disabilities consists of parents and guardians of children with disabilities. Huffstutler serves as the co-chair of the state advisory committee.

“Every state is federally mandated to have a council like that,” Huffstutler said. “In addition, some states have written in their law that every district would have a similar council that would then feed into that larger one.”

Huffstutler said a subcommittee of the South Carolina Advisory Council for Educating Students with Disabilities is creating an advisory letter requesting a state law be created requiring every district to form a local advisory council. The letter will be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster and state Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver.

Benefits

Several benefits have been identified of an effective special education parent advisory council including:

• Increased outreach to parents
• Positive relationships between parents and school leaders
• Collaborative problem solving
• System change based on input
• A trusted source of information
• Information sharing with parents
• Improved services and programs
• Deepened trust

Source: Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils

National trend

School districts across the country have created local or regional special education parent advisory councils. Some states have a law requiring districts to form a council. Some of the states in which councils are active include:

• California
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Virginia
• Washington

Source: Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils

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The annual competition recognizes promising young artists in classical music, dance, design, film, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. Nearly 11,000 students ages 15 to 18 from around the county submitted applications in the 2025 competition.

The seven Governor’s School students awarded include:

• Paige Dayton, film award winner
• Stella Warren-Page, visual arts award winner
• Dune Adams, fiction award winner
• Jayden Benenhaley, nonfiction award winner
• Tristyn Gibson, nonfiction award winner
• Gus Messinides, nonfiction award winner
• Anna Castro Spratt, fiction award winner with distinction

Each winner will receive cash prizes between $250 and $10,000 and the opportunity to learn from professional artists. They will also become part of an alumni network of over 22,000 artists.

“The impact of this award on 15- to 18-year-old artists will be felt for decades to come,” said YoungArts President Clive Chang.

Castro Spratt specifically received the YoungArts Award with Distinction and is invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in Miami in January 2025. She is also eligible to be nominated to become a U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the highest honors bestowed by the president of the United States.

To learn more about the YoungArts National Arts Competition, visit youngarts.org/winners.

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The new policy prohibits high school students from using personal electronic devices like cell phones during the school day which runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. 

An exception to the rule allows high schools to designate time outside the classroom when students can use devices for instructional and school activities only. Parents, guardians and students will be notified by the high schools of the specific parameters for personal electronic device use. 

Elementary and middle school students are also prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school day. This rule was in place prior to the new policy revision.

Superintendent Burke Royster said during the board’s committee of the whole meeting earlier on Dec. 10 that the district’s updated cell phone policy was required by the South Carolina Legislature. A proviso was included in the South Carolina Department of Education’s fiscal year 2024-25 operations budget requiring all school districts in the state to enact a policy prohibiting students from accessing electronic communication devices while at school in order to receive state funding. 

The state Board of Education was instructed to create a model policy for school districts to use as a baseline for banning cellphone use in schools. School boards across the state were responsible for implementing a similar policy by January 2025.

Read more about the statewide cellphone ban 

GCS’s new policy for personal electronic devices goes into effect starting January 7, 2025. Students will be required to turn off or silence their personal electronic devices during the school day. The devices must also be stored out of the sight of others. Electronic devices such as smartwatches and accessories like headphones cannot be worn during the school day.

Individual students with health needs can be exempt from these rules if authorized by an individual education plan, health plan or 504 plan. Principals can also grant exceptions for students with unique circumstances such as if a family member is in the hospital. 

For more information, visit greenville.k12.sc.us/News/main.asp?titleid=2412cellphone. 

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Five graduates and one former educator from GCS make up the 2024 inductee class. The individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame for their contributions to academia, arts, athletics, business, media, public service, philanthropy, medicine, military or science.

The inductees were honored at a gala held on Nov. 21 at the Greenville Convention Center.

2024 Graduate Inductees

Kahran Bethencourt

Bethencourt, a 1998 Wade Hampton High graduate, is a world-renowned child photographer and the co-founder of CreativeSoul Photography in Atlanta. Bethencourt’s work focuses on empowering children of color and has earned her the NAACP Image Award and the recognition of being named a Canon Explorer of Light. She is also a New York Times bestselling author for two books she co-wrote, “Glory” and “Crowned.”

Johnny Mack Brown

Brown is a 1955 graduate of Greenville Senior High Academy. He was elected as the Greenville County Sheriff in 1976 and is credited for leading modernization and professionalization efforts at the department. Brown served as president of the National Sheriffs’ Association and was appointed U.S. Marshal for South Carolina in 2002. He also served as interim Greenville County sheriff from 2018 to 2020.

Daniel Miyares

Miyares, a 1988 Hillcrest High graduate, is an award-winning picture-book author and illustrator. His works include “Float,” “Night Out,” “Hope at Sea” and “Bring Me a Rock!” Miyares also illustrated the Newbery Honor Medal-winning book “The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams” and the poem “Dream Variations” by Langston Hughes.

Dr. Bethany Smith

Smith graduated from Southside High School in 2002. She previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow, project scientist and assistant professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. Her work focused on prostate cancer research and treatment development in hematology, oncology and experimental therapeutics. She recently returned to South Carolina to continue her work in oncology and genetics.

Virginia Uldrick, Ph.D. (awarded posthumously)

Uldrick was a 1946 graduate of Greenville Senior High Academy. She was the founder of Greenville’s Fine Arts Center and founding president of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Uldrick also worked as the supervisor of music and director of fine arts for GCS. She was the recipient of the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award and the Order of the Palmetto.

2024 Educator Inductee

Katherine Howard, Ph.D.

Howard has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator in South Carolina. She previously served as the associate superintendent for student performance for GCS. While in this role, Howard was on the international board for the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. She also chaired Clemson University’s College of Education Advancement Board. 

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Greenville County Schools board of trustees voted 8-4 in support of the city of Greenville’s Laurens Road Redevelopment Plan during its Nov. 19 meeting. The plan establishes an approximately 223-acre tax increment financing district along the corridor from Haywood Road to Verdae Boulevard.

Greenville City Council gave initial approval to the redevelopment plan on Oct. 14. A 45-day public comment period is currently underway. Every taxing authority – including the city, Greenville County and GCS – has an opportunity to vote on the implementation of this plan. Greenville County Council approved the Laurens Road TIF on Nov. 5. 

The city of Greenville will hold a public hearing and the second reading of the Laurens Road Redevelopment Plan on Dec. 9.

Tax increment financing, or TIF, would allow the city to use additional property tax revenue to fund public infrastructure projects within the district. This investment would benefit Verdae Development and Hollingsworth Funds who plans to redevelop approximately 90 acres along Laurens Road into a mixed-use district. 

Approximately 3,000 residential units are estimated to be created through the redevelopment of Laurens Road. GCS Planning and Demographics Department projects that 510 new students will reside within those units. 

Tax increment financing would freeze the property tax allocations within the Laurens Road TIF district for the next 30 years. As the TIF district is redeveloped, the area’s assessed property values would increase, thus generating additional property tax revenue. 

Fifty percent of the additional property tax revenue will be allocated to the taxing authorities, in addition to their current tax revenue. Superintendent Burke Royster said GCS would receive around 57% of that 50% of additional tax revenue, per the redevelopment plan agreement. 

Read more about the proposed Lauren Road TIF District

According to the district, GCS currently receives approximately $360,000 in annual tax revenue from the area proposed for the TIF district. At the end of the 30 years, GCS is estimated to receive $18 million in annual tax revenue. 

Additional items

• Six school board trustees gave their oath to office on Nov. 19. This included five reelected trustees and the newly elected trustee for Area 19, Scott Cline. 
• The board unanimously approved the acquisition of 219.8 acres of land along Woodside Road for “future growth.”
• The board approved the architect selection for the expansion of Fountain Inn Elementary into a K-8 school.

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He was awarded a contract extension after receiving an exemplary evaluation in his annual performance review. Royster’s review was conducted by the GCS board of trustees on Nov. 11.

Carolyn Styles, the board’s chair, explained this rating is reflective of the steady and is reflective of the steady progress GCS has made under Royster’s leadership over the past school year. 

“The evaluation highlighted increased academic achievement in many areas, remarkable gains in college and career readiness, and an all-time high graduation rate of 88.7%,” Styles said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Royster, there is no doubt the district is setting the bar for excellence in achievement and innovative practices at the state and national levels.”

The board unanimously approved Royster’s contract extension on Nov. 11. Royster has served as the 10th superintendent of GCS since 2012.

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Designed with support from the Peace Center, this initiative allows Fine Arts Center students to engage in hands-on performance-based learning experiences led by guest artists. The program’s schedule includes:

• Nov. 11-15: Chamber strings — The Aspen String Trio
• Nov. 18-22: Voice — Reginald Smith Jr.
• Nov. 18-22: Dance — Alonzo King Lines Project
• March 3-7, 2025: Jazz studies — Benny Green

“The artist-in-residence program offers an incredible opportunity for our students to work with top-tier professionals,” said Fine Arts Center Director Vee Popat. “It’s a unique experience that will undoubtedly inspire and elevate their passion for the arts.”

The program kicked off earlier in the school year when Kevin Boseman, a New York City-based Broadway dancer, singer and actor, conducted workshops with Fine Arts Center students.

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The two-story, 119,000-square-foot facility is being built on the former site of J.L. Mann High Academy at 61 Isbell Lane in Greenville. Set to open in August 2025, the school will accommodate up to 750 students.

Reedy Laurel Elementary will offer a specialized environmental science program with hands-on exploration for students. The school will include 50 classrooms, an onsite greenhouse, a wet lab for hydroponics, a tech lab and an outdoor playground. 

“We are excited to begin planting the seeds of learning in August 2025 by creating an environment that balances the academic rigor and expectations celebrated across Greenville County Schools with the excitement the world of science brings young minds,” said Principal Matt Critell. 

Read more about Reedy Laurel Elementary

The school is named after the Reedy River and Laurel Creek, both located near the facility.  The name was chosen from 1,400 name submissions.

A groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the school’s ongoing construction was held Oct. 29. Construction officially began on the new school in spring 2024. Scott Carlin, the district’s executive director of facilities, said the project is on track to be completed before next school year.

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Olson was born in Stamford, Connecticut, Oct. 25, 1951. She taught special-needs children in Connecticut and South Carolina for over 50 years before her retirement in June 2024.

Olson contributed years of service with the Prince of Peace Catholic Church community and made and distributed over 4,000 sandwiches to those in need.

Olson is survived by her husband of 46 years, Alan; her two children, Sara Wallace (Jay) and John Olson; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Gwendolyn; her mother, Toni D’Agostino; her sister, Denise Festa (Frank); several Godchildren; a niece; and five nephews.

Olson was preceded in death by her father, John T. D’Agostino on June 14, 2016.

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Set to open in August 2027, the new school will be located on 29 acres off U.S. Highway 25 at the intersection of Belvue and Robertson roads. The project is expected to cost approximately $92.5 million to complete.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new school was held Oct. 24. 

The existing Northwest Middle opened in 1973 and serves as the only public middle school in Travelers Rest. The facility was renovated in 1988 and 1990. The school has since become outdated and reached the end of its useful life, according to district officials. 

Superintendent Burke Royster said the new Northwest Middle represents the district’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and preparing students for success. Approximately 1,000 students will be accommodated at the new middle school, an increase from the existing facility’s 800-student capacity. 

“With the opening of this school, we are investing in the future of our students and community,” Royster said. “Our goal is to ensure that every student has access to the best educational resources and opportunities.”

Construction of the new Northwest Middle was included in the district’s 2024 Long Range Facilities Plan-Capital Improvement Program. GCS board of trustees recently approved the architect for the project, Jumper Carter Sease Architects, during its meeting on Oct. 22. 

Royster explained the firm will begin working with the school and district on initial construction documents before moving into the multi-stage design process. The district will also select a construction management at-risk firm and a general contractor during this process. 

“We know that we need to design spaces that are flexible, that can change with the time, and a building in the 1970s really doesn’t do that,” Royster said. “This gives us a chance to build with the future in mind.”

The district will also develop a new instructional program to go along with the new middle school. Daniel Greene, principal at Northwest Middle, said to be able to provide students with the latest facility and greatest technology will only accelerate the work the school’s teachers already do.

“I think this is the next best step for our community,” Greene said.

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Superintendent Burke Royster announced the decision during the Oct. 22 meeting of the GCS board of trustees. Book fairs were paused within the district in August, an action that received pushback from the public.

The initial decision was due to the South Carolina Regulation 43-170. The regulation outlines specific requirements on how instructional materials are made available to students including through book fairs. 

Read more on the book fair pause

Over the past two months, GCS has designed a process that would allow schools to hold book fairs while complying with the state regulation. Four weeks before the book fair, vendors must submit a list of the books to schools to be reviewed by the media specialists. The list will be shared with parents to review and students will need a signed permission form to attend the book fair. 

GCS has communicated the new process to several book fair vendors. Two vendors have signed an agreement acknowledging they will comply with the state regulation and will accept responsibility if a violation occurs. The district anticipates additional vendors will also agree to the district’s new process. 

“We believe we have a positive path forward and there should be no reason for schools not to be able to conduct book fairs at their location if they choose to do so,” Royster said.

Approved: Reedy Laurel Elementary student assignment plan

At the Oct. 22 meeting, the board of trustees approved the student assignment plan for the new Reedy Laurel Elementary School and other schools in the district. The plan includes over 20 school boundary changes at the elementary, middle and high levels. 

Approximately 900 students will be affected by the boundary changes including the 600 students reassigned to Reedy Laurel Elementary. The families of students impacted by the plan were notified and the district held several public input meetings for parents and guardians. 

The new elementary school at 61 Isbell Lane in Greenville, near where Ridge Road passes over Interstate 85, will open in 2025. According to the student assignment plan, some students from Mauldin Elementary, Pelham Road Elementary and Sara Collins Elementary will be reassigned to Reedy Laurel Elementary. 

Read more about the school boundary changes

Approved: Waiver request for missed school days

Hurricane Helene caused GCS to close from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8 due to widespread internet and power outages. As a result, the district extended the first quarter of the grading period by five instructional days to Oct. 21. 

The board approved a resolution requesting the General Assembly forgive the eight school days missed due to the storm. The district believes it would not be feasible to make up the missed days. 

One of the reasons listed in the resolution is that student holidays, weekends or summer days that are converted to regular school days are not highly attended. The inflexible graduation dates and standardized testing dates are also noted as being an inhibiting factor. 

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The program’s first resident artist is Doug Oberhamer, a Broadway musical director, arranger and vocal coach based in New York City.

He will be in Greenville through Oct. 25 and will conduct a variety of workshops focusing on different aspects of musical theater. These in-classroom workshops will work with Greenville County middle schools, high schools and the Fine Arts Center.

A sample of the in-classroom workshop experiences Oberhamer is leading include:

• The Broadway Pit Orchestra Experience — for high school band, orchestra students
• Professional Perspective —  for middle and high school instrumental/vocals
• Acting the Song — for middle school theatre/drama/voice students

Funded by donations to the Peace Center Foundation, resident artists will typically be engaged for one week to one month, depending on their availability and focus of instruction.

The program takes place in schools and on the Peace Center campus. For more information about the Peace Center and its community engagement and arts education programs, visit peacecenter.org.

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Area 17*

Incumbent: Carolyn Styles

Occupation: Retired school principal

Years as a representative: 4

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I will continue to focus on recruiting, retaining and developing high-quality teachers. Teacher quality is the most crucial factor influencing student achievement. A shortage of qualified teachers impacts students’ learning, places a burden on existing educators, exacerbates teacher burnout and increases the number of teachers leaving the profession. Therefore, it is essential we continue to provide competitive wages and respond to teachers’ concerns regarding career satisfaction. Although change requires a majority vote, I will continue to use my voice to advocate for teachers at the local and state level. Our students deserve the best and brightest teachers!

*The Greenville Journal talked to Lisa Campbell Bracewell Sept. 26 and was told she has pulled out of the race but will still appear on the ballot.

Area 19

Candidate: Scott Cline

Occupation: President and owner of Cline Systems Inc.

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I understand the critical role parents play in their children’s education and am dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard. I value the partnership between parents and teachers, knowing it is key to student success. I have experience managing a multimillion-dollar business (and) I am committed to ensuring every student in the district has the same opportunities my family has enjoyed. My top priorities are students, parents, teachers and taxpayers — focused on academic excellence, parental empowerment, teacher support and responsible budget management.

Candidate: Robert Hamilton

Occupation: Branch manager, South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I want to work on stopping tax increases, emphasize trade education and allowing outside ABA therapists into classrooms. With a budget of over a billion dollars, we need to take a hard look at efficiency and reduce bureaucracy. Which we have not done. Considering the job market in our community and how high-paying many noncollege fields are, we should be giving these fields the same level of prestige. Finally, we need to listen to the parents, especially those parents of special needs children. ABA therapists cost the schools nothing, and make a big impact in academic outcomes and safety.

Candidate: Dan Healy

Occupation: Self-employed

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? When elected, I plan to make our schools safe again! Our highest priority should be our children; why have we done nothing to keep them safe since Columbine? I plan to stop the LGBTQ+ agenda from being shoved down our children’s throats. Together, we can make GCS great again! I want to ensure that our children make it through school alive, and that they are mentally and emotionally unharmed and protected from the current woke indoctrination.

Candidate: Amanda Stone

Occupation: Former Greenville County Schools teacher

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? As a recent teacher in Greenville County (up until 2022) I recognize that teachers, including myself, are leaving education in large numbers. While in Greenville County Schools I taught second grade and fourth grade, both of which I loved doing. I taught in Greenville County School before, during and after COVID. I saw the shift in respect for teachers during this time. If I was elected to the board to represent Area 19, I would be representing more than Area 19. I would stand up for all students and teachers across the county. I’ve been there firsthand and recognize that things must change.

Area 21

Incumbent: Angie Mosley

Occupation: Owner/director of Junior Cotillion

Years as a representative: 4

What are you planning to work on in your next term? We just completed our five-year strategic plan through a collaborative process that included input from key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, administrators and community members. My role as a member of a “policy” board is to ensure we have sound policies that support our goals for student achievement, attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers, and providing a safe environment. Meaningful “inclusion” in the context of special education is an area of focus for me.

Challenger: Steve Whaley

Occupation: Student transportation subject matter expert

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? This is the reason I’m running for the school board, to address the greatest challenge in our educational system. We have far too many students that have been moved along to the next year without successfully learning and completing grade-level standards. We need to get back to the basics of advancing the fundamentals of reading, writing, math and science and remove all distractions from our classrooms while empowering our teachers to accomplish this most important objective. I am committed to succeeding in this challenge without increasing taxes to our community.

Area 25

Challenger: Greg Cantrell

Occupation: Retired educator

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? School boards members are the closest elected official to the people. If elected, I plan to be accessible, honest and transparent to support students, teachers and community members to ensure optimal academic, extracurricular and athletic success. I will be a liaison to communicate these needs to the superintendent and other board members. I am not running against anyone. I am running to use my expertise of serving 43 years in public schools to better lives and learning of all children in Greenville County.

Incumbent: Michelle Goodwin-Calwile

Occupation: Retired educator

Years as a representative: 8

What are you planning to work on in your next term? (I) plan to continue working on communication to the public about what the school board is responsible for. In our community meetings I teach a civics lesson to the attendees so that they know who to go to for certain issues, concerns and information. I want everyone to be an informed citizen and that they are involved in the electoral process. Since the main purpose of the school board is enacting policy, I want us to look at outdated policies to see if they need to be revised, replaced or deleted. Safe schools is priority!

Challenger: Jack Logan

Occupation: Health care

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? Safer schools and teachers getting better pay. 

Area 27

Incumbent: Sarah Dulin

Occupation: School board trustee, full-time parent

Years as a representative: 4

What are you planning to work on in your next term? Our board has no power as individuals, so along with my fellow trustees, I plan to continue to increase security/safety measures, work to improve salaries especially for experienced teachers and aides, plan for building expansions to meet additional demands created by growth in the county, increase availability of services for students with special needs, respect decency laws for curriculum and materials’ content, ensure that classic education and critical-thinking, not ideologies or political agendas, remain the focus in classrooms, and maintain fiscal responsibility.

Challenger: Missey Marsh

Occupation: Project controls

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? If elected to the school board, I will prioritize a balanced budget without raising taxes by building consensus, which has been missing for years. My focus will be on advocating for improved safety, supporting teachers, championing parent choice and strengthening community collaboration. I’ll prioritize spending that directly benefits students, reduce inefficiencies, and explore alternative funding options like grants and partnerships. Through collaboration and transparent decision-making, we can ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely to deliver high-quality educational resources for our students and teachers.

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