Community input meetings begin for Aiken superintendent search
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The search for the next superintendent for the Aiken County Public School District begins on Tuesday.
The South Carolina School Boards Association is holding community input meetings on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
In August, King Laurence announced his retirement for the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Tuesday’s meetings was held at North Augusta High School in the media center and at Silver Bluff High School in the auditorium.
Now, Aiken County moves forward asking a question to anyone in the community: “What qualities and characteristics do you want in your next superintendent?”
This sparked an open floor conversation at North Augusta High School.
“We just want to know that the you know that the children’s best interest is taken into consideration,” said Mark Hedman, who has a student at North Augusta.
Hedman and his wife were in a room with 15 others, all giving out opinions to ensure they have a say in who the next leader of the district will be.
Hedman’s wife, Jacquelyn, said: “What does the district want to be? And from there, they’ll reach out and see who fits those qualifications. So, coming together like we did today, with what we want to be as a community and then that person our needs the best.”
The Hedman’s don’t want too much change and they want someone who knows how to communicate.
“We want someone who wants to grow what’s good, but then add fresh ideas with the community’s voice in there,” they said. “So someone who listens. Communication is huge, and who doesn’t just speak to the board who speaks to the parents and the children as well.”
As comments continue to come in, the South Carolina School Board will present them to the Aiken County Board of Education.
Gene Moore, a consultant with the South Carolina School Board, said: “The board will take that and use that as they continue the superintendent search process.”
On Wednesday, the community can share their input at the district office in the board room or at Wagener-Salley High School in the auditorium.
If you can’t make it to any meeting and still want your voice heard, you can fill out this survey.
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