Beaufort County school board needs candidates, then voters
It’s encouraging that the Beaufort County Board of Education unanimously agreed on the choice of the interim superintendent of schools. What’s next?
An immediate need is for concerned citizens, including parents of school-age children, to run to serve on the board. Although a few people have already filed to run in the seven districts holding an election this November, more candidates are needed so voters will have a real choice and will end up with an effective board.
The candidates who are elected will need to be able to work with the four incumbents not up for re-election. They will also have to understand that their role is to determine policy and to hire and evaluate the superintendent, who is responsible to them. It is the role of the superintendent, not the board members, to manage the school system.
The deadline for filing to run is Aug. 15. There is no primary for this election, because it is nonpartisan. Candidates do not align themselves with a party and no longer need to get signatures of fellow citizens to endorse their candidacy. They do need to fill out a form available at the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections.
Let’s hope we have a good turnout at the polls on Nov. 6. It is sad when only a small percentage of eligible voters show up to make important decisions, especially those that affect our children.
Fran Holt
Hilton Head Island
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