IRMO, S.C. — Dozens of parents, teachers, students and community members showed up for the Lexington-Richland Five forum Tuesday night. Folks got to learn more about the five candidates vying for votes in the school board races next month.
A salesman, a cyber security business owner, an existing school board member, former school board member and USC School of Music teacher are all working to convince voters to choose them in November.
Each of them are hoping to fill one of three open seats on the Lexington Richland School District Five school board.
"I'm really going to be focused on recruiting, retaining teachers. This is something that not just our district has had problems with, but it's all over the country. My family has been personally effected by it on numerous occasions," Scott Herring, candidate said.
Catherine Huddle and Scott Herring, two of the Lexington candidates said teacher recruitment and retention is the most critical issue to address in schools.
"The money makes a big difference. That's how we pay our teachers, that's how we fund programs for our students, so it does matter," Huddle said.
Ken Loveless, another Lexington candidate said it's teacher compensation and school infrastructure, citing his former work on the board.
"We decided to take some action and replace a failing building over there," Loveless said.
Jason Baynham and Mike Ward, Richland candidates, said it's school safety.
"There are systems that exist that allow us to protect the doors, the perimeters of the schools," Ward said.
"We need to be open and transparent on all projects, especially involving taxpayer resources. We must focus on the safety of all our students and staff," Baynham said.
When asked about how each candidate would support teachers better, Loveless and Huddle focused on pay, while Herring focused on asking for teacher input more often and giving them more certainty in their job location.
Baynham and Ward focused on taking busy work off teachers' plates.
Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.