COASTAL OBSERVER

Nearly 100 people stopped by the Georgetown County School District office on Tuesday to hear from the four educators who want to be the next superintendent.

Bethany Giles, Gregory Hall, Glenda Sheffield and William Wright were each given a chance to talk about their background and goals for the district, and then mingled with the crowd to answer questions, accept hugs and take pictures.

Giles, the district’s current interim superintendent, grew up in Andrews. 

“I’m driven and I’m motivated by the desire to assist, to lead, and to serve,” Giles added. “I’m honored and I’m humbled to serve the district that has essentially raised me.”

Giles has worked in Georgetown for 23 years as a teacher and assistant principal at Rosemary Middle School, athletic coach at Andrews High School, principal at Brown’s Ferry Elementary School and Carvers Bay High School, executive director of secondary schools and athletics, and deputy superintendent of academics and student services.

She took over as interim superintendent on July 1, replacing Keith Price who stepped down to become the superintendent-elect of the Lexington 1 School District.

Although Giles said the district is not perfect, she “proudly stated” that it is improving, focusing on its goals and pursuing perfection.

“As I reflect on the responsibilities and opportunities ahead, I see this as a pivotal moment to continue advancing our initiatives of improving discipline, enhancing our learning environment and fostering student well-being,” she added.

Sheffield, who grew up in Plantersville, is the chief academic officer for the Palm Beach County, Fla., school district.

She said she was “humbled” to be home and named the local educators who inspired her.

“I want to pour into the same system that poured into me, that provided me the foundation that has allowed me to go and have a successful career,” Sheffield added. 

Sheffield was a magnet academy teacher and coordinator; a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels; an assistant principal at the elementary and high school levels; and a regional instructional superintendent.

She wants to be part of a system that ensures that graduates are college or career ready. 

“You cannot tell me that our students here in Georgetown County – if we stretch their thinking, if we provide the opportunity, if we maximize their instructional opportunities, and making certain that we are closing their achievement gap – that they cannot go out and continue to be great,” she said.

Hall, who served in the Marines for eight years, is the assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Florence 1 School District.

He worked in Beaufort as a principal and assistant principal at the middle school level after starting his career as a music teacher and band director.

Hall believes it is a “challenging” time for public education because of attacks on it.

“I also believe in many ways our system is broken in the way that we’re being asked to do public education,” he said. “It takes experience and I have experience in school and district leadership. My experience in the Marine Corps has prepared me to lead in very challenging times.”

Hall said his success comes from never accepting mediocrity or status quo.

“It is my responsibility to ensure that every single student has the tools, has the support, and has the opportunity to unlock their full potential,” he added. “By fostering a learning environment that is inclusive, equitable and empowering, we will equip our students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to shape their futures.”

Wright, the superintendent of the Sumter County School District, was a finalist four years ago when Price was hired. He apologized for wearing a cap at the forum, but explained he recently had surgery.

He said he hoped he was only going to be in Sumter for a few more days because he wanted to come to Georgetown.

“I want to do this work because I wanted to do it in 2020,” he added. “I’m excited about an opportunity to do it again.”

Wright has been an educator for 26 years, including the last 12 as a superintendent for three districts in South Carolina and North Carolina. Before that he was a teacher, assistant superintendent, and principal and assistant principal at the middle and high school levels.

Wright called Georgetown a “good” district that needs a jump start to become great.

“I believe, in districts like ours, that if we become unified from the coast to the inland, we can move forward and become amazing. Not just good, but amazing,” he said. “I’m committed to that work. I’ve been doing that work for the last 12 years as a full-time superintendent and I’m excited about the opportunity to do that work collectively with you.”

Wright asked for help from the community, not just “the people that draw the paychecks.”

“I immerse myself in the community,” he said. “I believe that we have to be unified together to serve students all across this district.”

The district received 22 applications for the superintendent position and nine people were brought in for interviews. 

School Board Chairman Bill Gaskins praised the S.C. School Boards Association for its work in vetting the candidates and recommending semifinalists.

The top nine applicants met with board members and were asked the same questions. The board then had a round table discussion and chose the four finalists, who were asked a new set of questions during final interviews this week. 

The board is expected to name the next superintendent during the first week of October. 

“Hiring a superintendent is the toughest decision a school board has to make, Gaskins said.