Former Calhoun superintendent seeks board seat
By TUCKER LYON, T&D Government WriterMonday, August 25, 20089 comment(s) | Default | Large
ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. - Based on the bitterly fought school trustee races of the past, the upcoming Calhoun County District School Board election shows promise of being every bit as fractious.
Seven candidates, including a former controversial school superintendent, are in the running for two of the three nonpartisan positions to be filled in the November general election.
Former board Chairman Michael Drake, who is seeking a third four-year term, is being challenged in District 4 by Dr. Ernest “Bucky” Stokes and Joyce Jones Parrish.
Stokes held the top administrative spot for four years before resigning in 1993. In the aftermath of a contentious bond issue and board upheaval in 1988, the superintendent came under fire for the purchase of alcoholic beverages for after-hours school/business patrons’ events with district funds. Also, Stokes and trustees were the targets of complaints over per-diem expenses.
As a result, the three incumbent school board trustees who were up for re-election in 1992 were ousted and the superintendent announced his resignation a month later.
In 2004, Jones Parrish filed for the District 4 seat but then withdrew as a candidate. According to an election official, her explanation was that she was taking a position as a teacher in a critical needs area of the school district.
In District 1, incumbent Trustee Gary Porth is facing opposition from three political newcomers: Melody Inabinet Peding, Scott Segars and Tommie J. Glover.
Porth, who was representing District 4 at the time, was defeated in 1992 after serving one term. He subsequently won a seat on the board representing District 1 in 1996.
Only District 3 Trustee Sandra Tucker will not have opposition.
In Orangeburg County, no one filed statements of candidacy for the three seats up on the Horse Range Watershed District. Write-in votes will determine the trustees. The three incumbents on the Holly Hill-area board are Lawton Brown, Milton Gaines and Timothy Prezzy.
Nonpartisan candidates who filed statements of candidacy will be on the ballot in the November general election. The filing period for those statements of candidacy ended Aug. 15.
T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.
minimouse wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:37 PM:
If t and d wont ask the candidates for their opinions let the blog ask. "
minimouse wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:04 PM:
calhoun student wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:08 PM:
clarke G wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:41 PM:
clarke G wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:41 PM:
Ask them to give their opinion on the direction the District should go.
Ask them if they are proud of the way this board has been able to fund so much improvement without no tax increase.
Ask each one what would be the first thing they would try to change if they were elected.
Thank you
Clarke G. "
minimouse wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:54 PM:
Parrish? Pedings? Stokes? Segars? Glover?
What say you?
Is it better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt? "
minimouse wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:12 PM:
TELL US ALL WHAT YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE IS. "
minimouse wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:29 PM:
The dust should settle on the new plan with the visionaries at the helm. "
Some who are running for board seats are ardently against the improvements being implemented. Don't vote for someone who offers nothing but a negative speech about the current board.
While there is certainly not complete agreement on all of the aspects of the new facilities plan,all five of our current board members care deeply about all children of CCPS. "
cougar wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:10 AM: