Who’s running for school board? Here’s info on candidates across the Rock Hill region
Half of the school board seats across York, Lancaster and Chester counties will appear on the ballot Nov. 5 — with the names of dozens of candidates hoping to fill them.
A variety of ballot measures also will be voted on.
Some districts await results from large bond votes on election day to decide if they’ll be able to build new schools. Some school boards face challenges of enrollment surges and new facilities, while others look to replace aging buildings. All six districts in three counties will have decisions that impact students, from setting school calendars to security, teacher retention or education funding.
Here’s what to know about each district ahead of school board elections next month, including which candidates are running and how to get more information on each of them:
Rock Hill School District
Five of seven Rock Hill school board seats are on the ballot Nov. 5. A dozen candidates filed to lead a district serving the fifth-largest city in South Carolina. They debated school dress codes, security and calendars during a forum put on by district students this month.
Voters can watch the candidate forum online under the “live” tab at the Rock Hill School District Youtube page. Forum answers also are listed on the school district website.
Rock Hill has the most contested races of any district in the region. Montrio Belton and Matt Hiers face off for Seat 1 held by Patrice Reid Cherry. James Burns and incumbent Mildred Douglas vie for Seat 3, while Corree Carelock, incumbent Windy Cole and Melissa Harris are up for Seat 5. Jennifer Hutchinson and Fred Jordan contend for one at-large seat. Lacy Daniel, incumbent Bryan McAlinden and Kevin Thompson vie for the other.
Fort Mill School District
Fort Mill has the most students of any district in the region, packed into the smallest geographic district in the state. Growth is a persistent issue for board members. District voters passed a $204 million bond this spring for more school schools. On election night, the school board is expected to finalize new attendance lines for two schools opening by 2026.
Fort Mill has three contested seats. All three incumbents are runnin for new terms in Anthony Boddie, Scott Frattaroli and Kristy Spears. Joining them are challengers Ellen Abramo, Denise Casey and Michelle Hoffman. Voters can pick up to three candidates and the top three winners seats, with no district voting.
A teacher group in Fort Mill sponsored a school board candidate forum this month. Voters can hear the candidates discuss growth, teacher retention, salaries and other issues on the school district Youtube page.
Clover School District
Clover is another high-growth district facing significant challenges such as the opening of a second high school in 2026, plus construction of a middle and elementary school. Similar to Fort Mill, Clover schools consistently rank at or near the top of test scores and other school metrics statewide. Clover schools also face growth pressure as more families look to join them.
Five candidates are running for three open seats this fall. Nataly Burgio faces Kenda Cook for Seat 4 to succeed Ginger Marr. Kevin Johnson and incumbent Tracy Bell Stiff compete for an at-large seat. Incumbent Jessica Cody runs unopposed for Seat 3.
All five candidates participated in a recent candidate forum that voters can watch at the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
York School District
After years of mostly level population, York is now growing quickly — and so is the school district. A $90 million bond referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot would pay for a new middle school and other upgrades. School report cards released this month show two York schools with the top rating of excellent, and five of eight district schools improved at least one level (out of five) in the past year.
The only contested race in York is the Dist. 3 seat. Incumbent Chris Revels faces Delandris Jones. Incumbents Wade Anderson and Scott Childers run unopposed. Thomas Wilkerson also is running unopposed and will take the seat held by Tracy Morton Miskelly.
Lancaster County School District
Lancaster County voters have a record $588 million school bond referendum on the ballot, much of it for new schools in Indian Land. The panhandle there has been driving growth for a generation, though other parts farther south are starting to see large new subdivisions, too. Planning, including for new students while maintaining equity between areas with vast new neighborhoods and older, rural areas, has been a challenge for the board.
Three school board seats come due this fall. Only one is contested. Olivia Hann, Jeanna Rathel-White and Keith Snipes are running for the Dist. 6 seat to replace Margaret Gamble. Incumbent Tyrom Faulkner is unopposed in Dist. 2, as is Revery Johnson in Dist. 4, which is held now by Chairman Brad Small.
Chester County School District
Chester County schools are similar to Lancaster County, where there’s a bond referendum on the ballot and only one of three seats up for election has more than one candidate. Delores Ann Crockett and Tara Thomas filed for the Dist. 1 seat left by Sandy Lovern. Brenda Fort and Nakia Houston White run unopposed for seats.
The new board will have decisions to make on the success or failure of a $227 million bond vote on Nov. 5. County residents will be asked to approve that much for new high schools to replace Chester and Lewisville high schools, plus upgrades at Great Falls High School.
