COASTAL OBSERVER

An online survey found that eight in 10 people want to see the next superintendent take the Georgetown County School District in a different direction. A third of the respondents want to see significant changes.

One of the comments came from a former district student whose children currently attend Waccamaw schools.

“There is little change noted in these areas between my attendance 30 years ago and my children’s experience over the past 10 years in these schools as well as other schools in our district,” the comment stated.

The three-question survey by the S.C. School Boards Association garnered 280 responses before it ended in June. The survey was intended to determine what characteristics were most important to look for in the 23 candidates as they prepare for the interviewing process Aug. 12 through 14.

Judy LeGrand, a superintendent search coordinator for the past 15 years,  presented the summary to the school board last week along with Scott Price and Darrell Johnson.

Doug Jenkins, the district’s chief human resources officer, said he thought the survey was all-encompassing. The only thing that surprised him was the number of responses.

“​​I really would have hoped for more input in that. But it was a good cross representation of responses,” Jenkins said.

Of the 280 people who responded, there were 155 parents, 51 community members, 43 teachers, 18 support staff members, 10 administrators, and two students. Representatives from the School Boards Association also held four focus groups that drew 266 participants.

“That doesn’t give you a snapshot of how everyone feels. But it does capture the thoughts and perceptions that are out in the community,” LeGrand said.

The search team compiled 33 pages of input.

“This is the most important decision this board will ever make,” School Board Chairman Bill Gaskins said.

Jenkins described the superintendent position as the “president” of the school district since it’s a 24/7 job. Whoever fills the shoes of Keith Price, who left this month to become superintendent-elect of the Lexington 1 School District, must have the “stamina” and “people skills” to be visible in the community, Jenkins said.

The candidate must also be multi-faceted in finances as well as academics because the superintendent will have control of a $100 million budget, he added.

“​​It’s not just academics,” Jenkins said.

The second question on the survey asked respondents to rate characteristics on a scale from one, the least important, to five. A majority of survey participants agreed that a commitment to the community and staff was the most important at 4.72. Experience as a former superintendent ranked the lowest with an average of 3.5.

The final question considered the future of the school district under the next superintendent.

The majority of respondents, 42.9 percent, said they want to see “necessary changes.” 

There were 37.5 percent who wanted someone “who is ready to take the district in a significantly different direction.”

Just under 20 percent favored a superintendent who will “stay the course.”

“That was one thing that came out at the focus group meetings: don’t change just for the sake of change. See what’s working,” LeGrand said.

One comment encouraged the board to consider “a female” for the position, which has so far been held by men.

Another person wanted a “Christian male” for the job.  Three other people wanted someone who could bring Christian morals to the district and four mentioned having prayer in schools.

One encouraged a prayer “with the entire student body each and every morning” so they can grow into “law abiding citizens that can contribute to their community well-being.”

“Someone not afraid to get prayer back in school and not fall for the evil tactics of the world by allowing anything and everything,” was another suggestion in the survey.

The district hasn’t provided any information about the applicants, although it is required by state law to provide the names of at least three finalists. 

But Board Member Scott DuBose said they come from “a lot of places.”

In all, an ideal candidate to Jenkins is someone who will live and breathe the district’s mission statement, which is “to provide all students with world class knowledge and skills that prepare them for citizenship in a diverse society.”

The finalists are due to be announced on Aug. 20. The next superintendent will be announced on Oct. 1 or 8.