Education veterans Meetze and Caldwell face off in Newberry school board election

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, candidates for the Newberry County District 3 School Board position discussed their priorities if elected.

Current chair Lucy Anne Meetze, seeking re-election for the sixth time, highlighted her two decades of experience in public education.

“I’m not saying that we’re perfect, because no district is, but I would certainly like the opportunity to continue to serve,” she said.

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Meetze, whose family has a long history in South Carolina public schools, said she has a passion for education.

“My family has actually been teaching in public schools in South Carolina for over 100 years,” she said. “Both of my grandmothers and my grandfather were public school teachers; my mother - we just go way back.”

Meetze will face Leila Caldwell, a former teacher and principal in Newberry, who is running for the school board for the third time. Caldwell said she is familiar with the classroom and the needs of educators.

“I ran the last full cycle, and with me being in the classroom, I know what the needs are,” she said. “I know how to work with teachers. I know how to listen to their concerns, and I feel that, to be honest with you, I think it’s time for a change.”

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Both candidates shared their unique qualifications for the role.

“With my supervision background, I feel that I have a lot to offer," Caldwell said. "Also, I am in and out of these eight elementary schools; I see the students, I see the teachers, and I know their concerns.”

“I have experience as a parent. I’m gaining lots of current experience with my grandchildren enrolled in our schools," Meetze said. "I have experience as a teacher. I have the accounting and business background to understand the budget and all the budget decisions that school boards have to make. I have a heart and a passion for public school.”

Both candidates said they would be committed to improving teacher salaries and retention and enhancing safety measures on school grounds if elected or re-elected.

Voting for the school board election will be on Nov. 5, with early voting beginning this coming Monday.