Published: Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009 / Updated: Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009 08:24 AM

Fort Mill school board candidates weigh in on concerns

Voters in the Fort Mill school district will have a chance Tuesday to choose from four candidates running for two seats on the school board.

The race is at large.

The Herald interviewed each candidate individually and asked six questions. Their answers, edited for length, are below.

The candidates

Wayne Bouldin

Age: 47

Family: Harriett Bouldin (wife), Olivia Bouldin (daughter), Josh Bouldin (son), Julia Bouldin (daughter-in-law), Jonathan Bouldin (grandson)

Occupation: Senior development engineer for Membrana

Civic Involvement: 30 years with Boy Scouts (current vice president of Palmetto Council); seven years on School Improvement Councils at FMES, FMMS, NFHS (chair/vice chair); past FMHS band and athletic booster; current NFHS athletic booster; active member/musician St. John's United Methodist Church in Fort Mill; Quad-Chair 2007 Jenna's Dream Team (for Levine Children's Hospital)

Education Background: B.S. Mechanical Engineering '85, N.C. State University, Raleigh, N.C.

Political Experience: Tri-Chair 2008 Fort Mill School Bond Referendum

Chris Krieger

Age: 41

Family: Tega Cay resident for 13 years. Married to Kathy (20 years in December) with two sons — Matthew (Graduated FMHS and now at the University of South Carolina majoring in education) and Andrew (Junior at FMHS)

Occupation: Information technology manager at Bank of America in Charlotte

Civic Involvement: Supported and participated in many school volunteer activities over the years — SIC rep for band program, PTA, reading mentor, classroom assistant and trip chaperon; coached recreational soccer, basketball and t-ball teams including a traveling soccer team for several years; active supporter and volunteer of the Fort Mill district bands, including several board positions with the Fort Mill Band Booster Club; chaired many fundraising events for the band programs across the school district. Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheel and Adopt-A-Family volunteer; volunteer firefighter in New York state.

Education Background: B.S. in computer science with a minor in mathematics from Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y.; played Division III college football at Wagner College.

Political Experience: None

Michael Johnson

Age: 38

Family: Amy, teacher at GHES, Cole (9) and Grace (7)

Occupation: Attorney

Civic Involvement: Chairman, Fort Mill YMCA board; Upper Palmetto Red Cross board; Fort Mill Rotary Club (former board member); 2008 Leadership York County graduate; former treasurer and board member of Teen Health Center of York County; Tega Cay Rec and YMCA, football and soccer coach, 2003 to 2009

Education Background: B.A. in history from Auburn University, 1993; Juris Doctor from University of South Carolina School of Law, 1996

Political Experience: Fort Mill school board, 2005 to present.

Marion Davenport

Age: 67

Family: Husband, four sons, two daughters-in law, four grandchildren

Occupation: Owner, Chirp ‘n Chatter

Civic Involvement: Regent Park Community Owners' Association, York County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Education Background: Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa.

Political Experience: Ran for York County Council seat in 2008 as a Democrat and lost to incumbent Paul Lindemann

Six questions

1. What do Fort Mill schools do best?

Davenport: “They teach best. We have teachers who do an incredibly good job of educating children.”

Bouldin: “The quality of educators.”

Johnson: “We do an excellent job at getting the entire community involved in the education process, from classrooms to parent-teacher organizations and even retirees. Everyone in Fort Mill understands the value of education and what the education system has brought to this town. We've done a really good job of getting all of these forces to work together.”

Krieger: “Teaching our students. Getting them prepared for college, the workforce and the military.”