KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — With no incumbent running for the Kershaw County School Board Seat 1, two candidates are vying for the position: Gene Cameron, a long-time educator, and Kenneth Dunlap Jr., a youth pastor.
Both candidates are focusing on key education issues as they seek the seat.
Cameron is focusing on improving educational programs and addressing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes that supporting teachers and students is crucial in moving forward.
"Success for our children," Cameron said. "Coming out of COVID, you know, a lot of challenges have come along. Of course, the report card information is coming out now, and we've got some things to do to help our kids, help our teachers to help our kids."
Cameron also said his experience in Kershaw County is a key reason for his candidacy, highlighting his background as a teacher and administrator.
"The fact that I am an educator. I think I understand what teachers are thinking in the classroom. I think I know what their support are that they need, and an administrator as an administrator, I think I understand some of the things we can do to better equip our administrators to better equip our teachers, thereby better equipping our Children to be successful." he said.
Kenneth Dunlap Jr. is focused on ensuring that resources are properly allocated, particularly for special needs classrooms, while also addressing financial matters.
"The largest one is to make sure that we're physically responsible because, without the money going to where it needs to go properly, everything else will fall out of line," Dunlap said. "So, if that money starts to fall in line properly, then everything else will start to fall in into their places as well."
Dunlap also highlighted his long-time work with young people, noting his passion for youth as an important motivator in his run for the school board seat.
"Youth are a passion of mine. I've got three kids of my own that all have come up through Kershaw County schools, and like I said, I just don't think they're being taken care of like they should," he said. "I don't think the teachers are being taken care of like they should."
The election is scheduled for Nov. 5, with early voting beginning Oct. 21 and lasting until Nov. 2.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 25.