News Summary
In Georgetown, South Carolina, three candidates are competing for the District 6 seat on the Georgetown County School Board in an upcoming election. Jon Tester, Alex Belser, and Jarrod Ownbey each bring unique experiences and perspectives to the race, focusing on critical issues such as teacher retention and community engagement. With early voting set to begin soon, the candidates aim to address the challenges faced by the district, particularly in light of recent leadership changes and the evolving dynamics of the teaching staff.
Georgetown, South Carolina — Three candidates are vying for the District 6 seat on the Georgetown County School Board in an election scheduled for July 8. The candidates—Jon Tester, Alex Belser, and Jarrod Ownbey—come from diverse backgrounds, aiming to address critical issues facing the district following the recent resignation of Kristie Baxley from the position.
Jon Tester, a retired assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, brings over 32 years of educational experience to the race. He believes his extensive background in various aspects of the school district uniquely qualifies him for the position, aside from transportation and food services. Tester is focused on enhancing teacher retention, emphasizing a need for support from district and school leadership and fostering trust within the educational community.
Alex Belser, a former television newsman with experience across multiple states, stresses the importance of an investigative approach to school board discussions. He aims to promote cooperation and ensure that stakeholder complaints and comments are considered in decision-making processes, particularly in the search for a new superintendent. Both Tester and Belser highlight the issue of high teacher turnover rates, proposing reviews of salary structures and potential housing initiatives to support educators.
Jarrod Ownbey, a local attorney who is married to a teacher and has two children in the school system, prioritizes teacher retention as one of his main focuses. He shares the concern of his opponents regarding the need for unity and understanding within board discussions. Each candidate reflects the consensus that retaining skilled teachers is paramount for the quality of education in Georgetown County.
The District 6 seat encompasses areas from Waverly Road at Pawleys Island to the southern end of Murrells Inlet. The upcoming election will be nonpartisan, with early voting available from June 23 to July 3. Important deadlines for registering to vote include June 6 for in-person registration, June 8 for online, email, or fax registration, and a postal deadline of June 9.
The Georgetown County Board of Education generally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 PM at the Beck Education Center, providing an opportunity for community members to engage with board activities and express their concerns.
As the campaign unfolds, the candidates are confronted by the reality of shifting demographics in teaching staff, with increasing numbers of educators leaving the profession. The ability of the new board member to address these challenges could have significant implications for the future of education in Georgetown County.
For individuals seeking additional information about voter registration, district locations, or upcoming meetings, the state election website serves as a valuable resource. The outcome of the District 6 seat election may influence not only school board decisions but the overall educational landscape of the community.
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Additional Resources
- Coastal Observer: District 6 School Board Vacancy Sparks Three-Way Race
- Delaware Online: Sussex County School Boards Candidates
- Post and Courier: Georgetown County Candidate Profiles
- Live 5 News: 2024 General Election Voter Guide
- WPDE: 2024 Election Guide for South and North Carolina
- Wikipedia: Georgetown County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Georgetown County School Board
- Google Scholar: Georgetown Education Challenges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Board
- Google News: Georgetown County School Board Election
