Former school administrator to run for Beaufort County school board
A retired school administrator and director of a women's grassroots organization plans to run for the Beaufort County school board seat vacated by Bill Evans last month.
Rebecca Cooper, president of the Beaufort Branch of the American Association for University Women, said Monday she hopes to represent portions of Beaufort, Lady's Island and Fripp Island. That seat will be decided by a special election Feb. 2.
Cooper worked as an educator in Savannah-area schools for 20 years before moving to Brunswick, Ga., where she served as an assistant superintendent of the Glynn County school system.
In 2007, she left that post for the Jasper County School District, where she worked as human resources director until 2010.
After more than 30 years in schools, Cooper said, she knows the business "backwards and forwards."
As a school board member, she said she would prioritize instruction by ensuring all students' needs are met, programs receive the support they need and the district is making quality hires in the classroom.
"The right people on the bus or driving the train results in success for every one of our learners," she said. "... All of us can relate to a teacher in our past who formed us, who made us want to aspire to a certain field."
Cooper added that statewide, AAUW branches have been working to implement a science, technology, engineering and math program geared toward girls and young women that could benefit the school district. She said she has also spoken with several district teachers and sees opportunities to enhance the programs already in place.
"I've dedicated my life and my mission to education and I know the right questions to ask and I have the courage and integrity and professionalism to get the job done."
Cooper says she is nearing the 250 signatures required to file a petition with the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County. Residents have until Dec. 1 to file petitions for the seat, left empty Oct. 6 after former board chairman Bill Evans resigned.
No candidates had filed as of Friday.
One other Beaufort County resident, district parent and Disabilities Foundation of Beaufort board treasurer David Striebinger, announced his intent to run in the special election on Nov. 6.
Related content:
- Beaufort County parent announces run for school board, Nov. 8, 2015
- Chairman Bill Evans resigns from Beaufort County school board, Oct. 6, 2015
This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Former school administrator to run for Beaufort County school board."