Here’s who is on the 2020 ballot for Rock Hill school board and why they’re running.
Rock Hill voters will find several school board races on the ballot this election.
Four of the seven seats on the Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustees are up in 2020. Two of the races are contested, and we’ve reached out to the candidates in those races.
In the two uncontested races, newcomer Patrice Reid Cherry is running for the District 1 seat and incumbent Windy Cole is running for the District 5 seat.
Incumbent Mildred Douglas is running against newcomer Shawanda Erby for the District 3 seat. And for the at-large seat, newcomer James Burns is running against incumbent Terry Hutchinson, who is the vice chairman of board. Burns has not yet responded to The Herald’s request for information.
On Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m., a candidate forum will be streamed on the district’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Here’s a look at the candidates running for contested seats:
Mildred Douglas
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired teacher from Clover School District #2, Clover, S.C., and Union County School District Monroe, N.C., for a total of 44 years.
Years living in the district: All my life, product of Rock Hill
Connection to local schools: Past PTO president at Northside and Sunset Park Elementary School, volunteered at Rawlinson Middle School; Band Boost, academics and athletics at Northwestern High.
Shawanda Erby
Age: 39
Occupation: Social worker
Years living in the district: Over 15 years
Connection to local schools: I am a graduate of Rock Hill Schools. I have four sons who were students as well. I currently mentor youth in the Rock Hill School District.
Terry Hutchinson
Age: 61
Occupation: Master automotive technician/shop foreman
Years living in the district: 26 years
Connection to local schools: None
Questions for candidates
What do voters need to know about you before they cast ballots? What sets you apart?
Douglas: I am a parent of four children (Maurice, Jermal, GiGi and Shawn) who graduated from Rock Hill schools.
I am an educator, a product of the Rock Hill School District, involved in school district programs, and served as President for York County Education Association.
Erby: Before going to the polls, I would like voters to know that I am someone who is approachable, will always strive to make sound decisions that will benefit all students, and advocate on behalf of students, parents and teachers.
What sets me apart is that I will bring a fresh, younger, new voice/point of view. My relationships and connections that I have made over the years within the city of Rock Hill have built trust with citizens. There are currently no social workers on the board, which will bring a set of new lenses.
Hutchinson: I am passionate about the children getting the education they deserve. I fully supported the expansion of the district choice programs, including providing transportation for those programs.
As to what sets me apart — I am more or less the outsider on the board. With that said, I think it gives me a better unbiased mindset. Plus, I am like 70-80% of the other adults in the district — I am a true blue collar worker who gets his hands dirty every day and have had to live paycheck to paycheck.
COVID-19 brought significant challenges for schools. What has the district handled well, or what could’ve been handled better?
Douglas: The district developed two choice for parents (A/B/C) scheduler or virtual.
Erby: The district has been very diligent in following state guidelines, recommendations, and keeping the citizens informed. The district has continued to put the safety of students, teachers and staff first when making the decision for parents to choose between A/B-day or virtual school.
Hutchinson: The district’s 1:1 program. When I got on the board eight years ago, it was in the trial mode. If I remember correctly, in 2014 we went full 1:1, and because of that we were very well prepared when the district was shut down in March. I honestly don’t think there is anything we could of handled better. We were all caught off guard. We learned and grew as we worked through this “pandemic”.
At what point should all students return to full in-person class?
Douglas: The district is working on bringing students in the (A/B/C) five days a week.
Erby: Students should return to full in-person class when it is 100% safe and the district is recommended to do so.
Hutchinson: That’s a good question and a hot button for a lot of people. For all students to go back to in-person classes the three indicators from SCDHEC, the whole state is using are in the green for a minimum of two weeks and the community as a whole is comfortable with it. I would much rather err on the side of caution. Yes, the children are less likely to get the virus, but we have adults that teach them, feed them and drive them to school — let alone their own families.
Board terms run four years. How is the school board better in four years if you’re elected?
Douglas: If I am reelected, and as a member of the board for the past 20 years, I feel as an educator I can speak from the view point of a teacher and bring a diversity of ideas that will help better educate the children of Rock Hill.
Erby: The school board will be better in four years because I will bring my values and skill set as a social worker, my commitment to the city of Rock Hill and its youth, as well as my personal experiences. During my term, I will ensure that decisions made will be in the best interest of students, teachers and school staff. Last, I will ensure that citizens are informed and have their voices heard.
Hutchinson: The board will be better because I have a vision, not an agenda for the district. The district needs to be very proactive as growth is coming. We need to grow with it in a fiscally conservative way. I tend to think in long terms when dealing with district issues. For instance, I use the cause and effect train of thought — what will the effects be five, 10, 15, even 20 years down the road?
What challenge is facing the district that our readers may not know about?
Douglas: Safe and secure environment, recruitment and retention, student achievement and provide a quality education for all students.
Erby: A challenge that the district is facing right now are students who utilize academic support are not receiving recommended services that are vital to their academic support. The virtual setting has been a challenge for these parents and students. This is an issue because not all parents are capable of assisting their child, which may be due to their work schedule, the parent themselves struggle academically or parents just don’t care.
Hutchinson: There are a few. First and foremost is finding teachers then retaining them. Then, student retention and of course, lack of proper funding from the state.
How can the district improve? What can it do differently?
Douglas: Keep providing the resources, personal and support needed to implement, remediation and enrichment and graduation rate.
Erby: The district can improve by continually assessing what is working and what’s not working to ensure the success of all students, implementing programs that will serve its students, teachers, and parents, and measuring the outcomes.
Hutchinson: It can improve by expanding the choice programs. For instance, the arts program. We need to follow it through into one of the middle schools and on into a high school, and add a couple more trade classes at the Applied Technology Center. The board and district are always looking to see what we can do differently.
Where or how can people find out more about you?
Douglas: On her campaign’s Facebook page or by phone at 803-493-5922.
Erby: On her campaign’s Facebook page.
Hutchinson: On his campaign’s Facebook page or by email at terryhrhsd3@aol.com.
This story was originally published October 19, 2020 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Here’s who is on the 2020 ballot for Rock Hill school board and why they’re running.."
