District 2
Name: Paula Meisner Hartman
Age: 56
Marital Status: Married to Robert L. Hartman Jr. (Bobby)
Education: Graduated from USC with a teaching degree in child development
Current Employment: Homemaker, caregiver, Avon representative and Avon recruiter
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
My qualifications for running for School Board are: I have a teaching degree and taught at Sandhills Academy School. This is a special school for Dyslexic children and most of these children also have ADD or ADHD. While I was teaching there I took a lot of extra classes in Dyslexia, ADD, and ADHD. I also worked for the Town of Ridgeway as the town clerk/treasurer for 7 1/2 years, which included book keeping and secretarial duties. When I started I took a class in accounting.
I raised a daughter with Dyslexia and ADD and help with my grandchildren. Therefore with my education, work and life experiences, I feel this qualifies me for this office.
2. Why are you running for school board?
I love Fairfield County and have lived here for 42 years. I don’t think the children are getting an adequate education in Fairfield County. I would like to try to make a difference in these childrens lives for the better. I have 4 grandchildren going to the county schools, 2 are at the Fairfield Central High School, 1 at Fairfield Middle School, and 1 at Fairfield Magnet School. I graduated from Winnsboro High School in 1974. I got a degree in teaching because I like helping and working with children. I would like to have a part in trying to improve the education and lives of our children. I feel the future of Fairfield County are our children.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
When a problem is presented to the School Board, I will listen to all the parties involved. I will listen to what parents, teachers, and students say, because what they say may make a difference. We all should be a team and need to work together for the welfare of the children. Therefore, I will consider what everyone says and then I will make a decision from that and any other information available. With all information, I will always try to make the decision for the best interest of the student.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
If I am elected to the School Board, the main goal I have is the children to receive a better education. My hope that each year we have a higher percentage of children in Fairfield County to graduate; and the drop out rate will decrease. There are a lot of discipline problems in the schools that need to be addressed. If the classes are quiet during the times the teachers are teaching, the children would learn a lot more because they are not distracted. We need to also, work more with children in reading. If they can read they can succeed. These things will help the children to succeed in life.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the Bible, because it is the guide to life.
Name: Danielle L. Miller
Age: 26 years old
Marital Status: Single
Education: Senior at Winthrop University – English/Creative Writing Major and Social Science Minor
Current Employment: Quality Control Accountant for CoreLogic, Inc.
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
I am a lifelong resident of Fairfield County. I’m also a proud graduate of Fairfield Central High School. I’m currently a senior at Winthrop University majoring in English and creative writing with a minor in social science. I’ve been honored to serve as a school board representative for District 2 for the past three and a half years. I’ve recently served as vice chair and I am presently serving as the secretary on the school board.
For the past three years, I’ve received a variety of training and knowledge on topics and issues such as board policy, economic development, school improvement, and school finance to make me a highly qualified candidate for this position.
2. Why are you running for school board?
Education has the power to change lives. I want every child in Fairfield to have the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential. I am running for school board to assist as a member of the governing body to support the mission and vision of Fairfield County School District. I want to help provide a safe and healthy atmosphere of learning so that all students can receive a high quality education.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
As a public servant, I will always listen and be responsive to the parents, teachers, students, stakeholders, and residents. As a school board trustee, I will always be objective before voting on any issues that’s presented to the board. My vote will always be for the best interest of the children in Fairfield County.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
As a School Board Trustee, it is my hope to help achieve higher academic standards and student achievement. We must invest in the future by supporting our students to help them develop their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. We must also provide access and opportunity for our students to benefit from music, the arts, and athletics. My other goals are to provide a high quality early childhood program, better align the education system from pre-kindergarten to college, and to develop partnerships with the community and the higher institutions.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is “A Framework for Understanding Poverty” by Ruby K. Payne. It’s my favorite book because the book provides practical support and effectiveness in working with people from all backgrounds. This book has helped me to realize that with a high quality education and with a great attitude, all dreams can come true through Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Enthusiasm.
District 4
Name: Carrie Suber-O’Neal
Age: 53
Marital Status: Married
Education: Associate Degree
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
I am a native and citizen of Fairfield County. I am the proud mother of four children and five grandchildren. I attend Saint Luke Baptist Church in the Greenbrier community. I graduated from McCrorey-Liston High School, Medical Training Center and Piedmont Technical College. I have an Associate Degree in public service and Major in early care and education. I have twelve years of experience in education as a substitute and teacher assistant. I worked as a substitute teacher in Fairfield, and Newberry County School District as a teacher assistant. I have served as a mentor, volunteer, chaperone, and PTA President at McCrorey-Liston Elementary. The Learning Center served as PTA President, Fairfield Middle School served as vice-president on SIC and member of PTO and band booster club, Fairfield Magnet School served as Vice-President on SIC, member of PTO, volunteer, and chaperone. Fairfield Central High served as PTA and PTO President, Griffins Athletic Club volunteer, served on Superintendent Strategic Planning Committee, and served as President of SC PTA State Board of Directors for Fairfield, Richland One and Two School District.
2. Why are you running for School Board?
I am running because of my integrity, experience, respect, and leadership. It is time for change with the embarrassment of our school board behavior, accountability, and disrespect to our superintendent, children, parents, teachers, churches, taxpayers, citizens of Fairfield and our country. To make a change and difference of wasting tax payer dollars,to hold members accountable for misuse of travel expensive, funding, and cell phone bills. To bring love, peace, unity, and teamwork back for the sake of our children. To improve the drop out rate, educating every child academically, to support our parents who are reaching out for help and to respect, love, pray, encourage, allow and support the decision of our superintendent in his vision, educating every child academically, and bringing play, and improve jobs and growth in our economy. I pray for change to allow the superintendent to retire in Fairfield
County School District.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
The parents and teachers are very important decision makers for children. Parents are the first to nurture the child to growth and development. The parents know the needs and capability of their children ability to learn and teachers help nurture the growth development and learning skills in the classroom. My experience and knowledge as a parent, teacher, and board member will help improve our education and make the best decisions with the input of parents and teachers working together as a team. The bottom-line is educating every child by allowing and supporting the superintendent.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
My goals are to improve student test scores in reading and math. Hiring academic teachers in elementary schools to improve test scores. Give incentives and appreciation to our teachers. Better pay for our teacher assistants and bus drivers with full health, medical, vision, dental and retirement benefits. Pay bus drivers and teacher assistants during the summer. To build a Career and Technology Center to bring change in curriculum,arts, and technology such as engineering, architecture, graphics, computer programming and etc. My goal is to partnership with Midland Technical College for students who prefer to continue their educating pursuing an Associate Degree.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the Bible because God is first and the head of my life. The Holy Bible is the bread of life. This book teaches of love, righteousness, evil doers, forgiving, healing, repenting, etc; and is the foundation and guidance of all God children daily living.
Name: Annie E. McDaniel
Age: 52
Marital Status: Single
Education: University of South Carolina Bachelors in accounting and Masters in public administration
Current Employment: Charleston County School District
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
My current position as a Fairfield County School Board Member; current level six certification with the South Carolina School Boards Association; current employment with the Charleston County School District; former employment with Fairfield County School District as the business manager, I am more than qualified to continue my service with the Fairfield County School Board. Also my passion for all the children in Fairfield County to have access to a great education that is not tainted by personal interest and hiring of family members who are not qualified for the positions.
2. Why are you running for school board?
I have always been an advocate of public service and have always been involved in public service. I would like to continue my work of helping children understand the importance of a great education regardless of the route in life they take after graduation. I would like to continue making Fairfield a great district through policy and governance. I would like to continue keeping the community informed of the actions that impact our children and district through my voice and transparency. Finally I am needed to protect Fairfield County School District tax dollars. Current efforts to take dollars from our county; particularly though our school district, can only be tackled by someone who is not afraid to speak up, who does not have a hidden agenda and who has not been compromised, I am that person.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
I will continue to listen and advise those who request direction, of our policies and processes that are currently in place. As board members, often we do not know when policies and processes are not working until we are notified by staff or community members (children, parents and community members); thus, once notified I will continue to determine if policies need to be changed, adhered to or if other action is necessary from the board level, to the administration. As long as a board member is not directing administration how to do their job or as a single board member who to hire, the balance is automatic. Unless policies are in place and adhered to, students and the bottom line will always be out of balance.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
Completion of the career center project, improved instructional offerings at all grade levels, more exposure for our students through community involvement, partnerships, challenges, competitions, field trips and extracurricular activities. Finally, to contribute to the stability of the district without compromising what is fair and just for all students.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the Bible, because the Bible reveals that there is nothing new under the sun and that as a believer and a living testimony, God will not bring you to anything he will not bring you through. It is a shame that the current sufferings of our education system are a result of taking prayer out of the schools and trying to keep open expression of God out of our schools. In all things, to God be the glory.
Name: Arthur Lathan
Age: 65
Marital Status: Married
Education: B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering
Current Employment: Retired (SCDOT)
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
While my background is in engineering I have worked with people to complete projects within budget and met deadlines. I have prepared million dollar budgets and supervised recovery operations following such disasters as hurricanes, chemical spills and bridge collapses. I have worked with and for the public in various capacities. I have been actively involved in school and other civic organizations for a number of years, often serving in leadership capacities for many. With the experience and exposure I have gained from these associations I feel like I am qualified to be a member of a select group chosen to set the policies that govern the educational process and direction of the students of Fairfield County.
2. Why are you running for school board?
I am running for school board because I think the board needs a change of direction and focus. The same issues keep coming that reflect a negative image on our educational system. There seems to be a lack of wiliness to do what is necessary to move in a positive direction. I have the desire to see positive and I am willing to work with anyone who want to move forward. I have no personal agenda other than to create a learning environment that will produce tangible results like improved student test scores, lower drop-out rate and attracting and retaining good teachers and administrators. I don’t have answers just ideas but working together I’m sure we can do much better, eventually creating a school system that others could model after.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
The bottom line is what governs the school district. The student is the most important product of the district. As a board member it is my responsibility to look after the best interest of both. While parent and teacher input is welcomed and important, when decisions are made, the student and bottom line will take priority.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
The goals I hope to achieve are better teamwork throughout the district. I also hope to gain the trust and support of the community through transparency and good work ethics.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the bible. I use the book as my life’s guide. I accept it’s content as the answer to the questions of where I came from and more importantly where I’m going. I find that reading this book regularly enables me to know that I have an obligation to pattern my life after my Maker. During difficult times I can always find the incentive to look for the best out of an otherwise dismal situation simply by referring to the bible. This book has been to source of much joy and happiness for me. I recommend it highly.
District 6
Name: William P. Frick
Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Education: Fairfield Central High School; BA, University of South Carolina; Juris Doctor, University of South Carolina School of Law; Master of International Business Studies (MIBS), University of South Carolina School of Business
Current Employment: Attorney
1. Briefly discuss your background and qualifications for the office you are seeking.
I have worked as an attorney serving as a prosecutor in several counties and the State Attorney General’s Office, private practice in Winnsboro and I currently serve as Deputy Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit which encompasses Fairfield, Chester, and Lancaster Counties. Prior to my legal career, I owned and operated a retail business in Columbia and served as a business expansion intern for a clothing retailer in Germany. I have served on the board of directors for Fairfield Behavioral Health Services (chair), Fairfield County First Steps(past chair), Winnsboro Rotary Club (past president), and the Fairfield County Bar (secretary-treasurer).
2. Why are you running for school board?
Like many in Fairfield I have grown frustrated with the turmoil that has existed in our school district over the last several years. I believe much of the problem lies with a board that lacks leadership and a clear understanding of its role as a policy maker, not a day to day operator of the schools of our county. I would like to contribute my leadership, life and business experience to help the board regain that focus and operate in its role as policy maker.
3. How would you balance your decisions as a member of the board with the input of the parents and teachers, while looking out for the bottom-line and the students?
It is not the role of the board to operate the schools on a daily basis. The board sets policy and works with the superintendent to have those policies implemented. The schools belong to the people of Fairfield and, therefore, policy should reflect what the people of Fairfield want their schools to accomplish. However, our schools, like our households and our businesses, must live within their means. It is the job of the board to work through the superintendent to determine how best to mesh the needs and wants of the people of Fairfield to the funds available to accomplish that task.
4. What are the goals you hope to achieve if you are elected?
The role of the school board is to set policy, hire a qualified superintendent and then let that person do their job. For the last several years, our board has overstepped this role. I want to help our school board understand its role and work with our superintendent to bring stability to a district that has seen more than its share of turmoil. When we do this we can make the Fairfield County School District one that will make us proud.
5. What is your favorite book and why?
I cannot say that I have favorite book. I enjoy reading non-fiction and more in particular biographies. A few of my favorite subjects are Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, Bear Bryant and Vince Lombardi. I enjoy reading about people who have been successful in their arenas, learning where they came from and how they inspired themselves and others to accomplish great things.
Post a Comment
