Who's running for Greenville County School Board in Area 26? Meet Amanda Brett and Stephanie Meek, the candidates on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hear where they stand on the issues facing our schools, then share this episode with your neighbors before Election Day.
How the interviews worked:
All candidates received the same question at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview. Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview.
Candidate links:
Resources:
Introduction to the Greenville County School Board Election
Catherine Schumacher:
Every two years, half of Greenville County Schools' Board of Trustees seats are on the ballot. When you go to the polls on November 3rd or in early voting, those of you living in the even-numbered school board areas will have the opportunity to cast your ballot in these critical, nonpartisan races to select the leaders who will help shape the future for one of our most important community assets, our public schools.
Here in Greenville, school board trustees play a critical leadership role. They develop and approve high-level policies, they approve the annual operating and capital budgets, and hold taxing authority to meet important priorities. They also oversee the hiring and evaluation of the district superintendent.
School board trustees help hold and trust our community's vision for schools that serve the vast majority of the school-aided children, a powerful responsibility. I'm Catherine Schumacher with Public Education Partners, and on this episode of Simple Civics Ed Talks, we are pleased to be part of the Simple Civics Greenville County commitment to candidate interviews for all of the contested seats on your ballot in November.
Here's how the interviews worked. All candidates received the same questions at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview.
Catherine Schumacher:
Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview. We've put links to the participating candidates' preferred internet presence on the episode page.
Today, we feature interviews with your candidates for Area 26, Amanda Brett and Stephanie Meek. District 26 generally represents the far western part of Greenville County, stretching from the Cherrydale community down to the Laurens County line.
First alphabetically is Amanda Brett. Well, I'm pleased to be here with Amanda Brett, who is running for re-election for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 26. Amanda, thanks so much for being with us today.
Amanda Brett:
Well, Catherine, as always, I appreciate you guys having us all on here. Thank you for having me.
Meet Amanda Brett: Greenville County School Board Area 26 Candidate
First alphabetically is Amanda Brett. Well, I'm pleased to be here with Amanda Brett, who is running for re-election for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 26. Amanda, thanks so much for being with us today.
Amanda Brett:
Well, Catherine, as always, I appreciate you guys having us all on here. Thank you for having me.
Catherine Schumacher:
Of course. Well, first of all, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in continuing to serve on the school board?
Amanda Brett:
Well, thank you. Well, I'll tell you, I am a lifelong believer in the importance of community and service. And I truly do think that I have a servant's heart. I believe that when you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others, that you honestly have a responsibility to step up and to serve.
My first term on the Greenville County School Board has been an incredible learning experience. I've gained a much deeper understanding of the inner workings of our school system, the responsibilities of the school board, and the many challenges and the opportunities that are facing Greenville County Schools today.
I've learned that serving on a school board requires listening, collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and always keeping the best interest of our students at the center of every conversation.
Amanda Brett:
One of the things that I would say I'm especially passionate about is making sure that parents know that they have a voice. There are times when parents may feel that their concerns aren't being heard or that they don't know where to turn. And I am a trustee who listens, who is accessible, and who brings those voices to the board table.
I may not always have the answer that they are looking for, but I do believe that every parent deserves to be heard, respected, and taken seriously. I'm also a mom of two sons who graduated from Greenville High School, and we were all active members of the Greenville County School System.
So I've experienced our schools not only as a trustee, but as a parent who has watched her children grow, learn, and become young men that they are today. That personal connection has given me an even greater appreciation for the teachers, administrators, staff, and all the families, the PTAs, everybody who makes our schools so successful.
I am running for a second term because I believe that I can build on what I have learned and be an even more effective trustee the second time around.
Amanda Brett:
I want to continue making a positive difference for the children of Greenville County while supporting our teachers and our staff, listening to the families, and making sure that we are being responsible stewards of the taxpayers' investment in public education.
Ultimately, I don't see this as a title or even a political office. I see it as my opportunity to serve. My goal is to leave Greenville County schools even stronger than I found them and to make decisions that I can look back on and know were made with integrity, common sense, and the best interest of our students and our community at heart.
Catherine Schumacher:
Well, what are the issues you believe are most important for school board members to focus on in this moment?
Amanda Brett:
Well, boy, that's a good one, Catherine, because I think that we have many issues, and I've somewhat narrowed it down, but I believe there are several areas that deserve our continued focus. But they all come back to one question, and that is, are we doing what is best for our students, the families, and the people who work in our schools?
First, I believe that we must continue strengthening our support for the special education students, families, and teachers. Special education is an area where families can sometimes feel overwhelmed navigating the system, and our teachers and our staff, they need the resources, the training, and the support that is necessary to meet the individual needs of these students.
We need to make sure that our IEP processes are working as they should, that parents are genuine partners in their child's education, and that our special education teachers and support staff have what they need to be successful. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, and every family deserves to know that their school is in their corner.
Amanda Brett:
Second, I believe that we need to continue emphasizing the basics of education. Reading, writing, mathematics, critical thinking, and strong foundational skills have to remain at the center of what we do.
I also think that we need to be really thoughtful about how much screen time our students are receiving during the school day, and we need to make sure that technology is being used as a tool for learning, and not as a substitute for good teaching, books, hands-on learning, or even meaningful interaction with teachers and our classmates.
Amanda Brett:
Third, we need to make sure that our high school students are prepared for whatever might come next. College is a wonderful path for many students, but it's not the only path to a successful career.
We have a great program in Greenville County, and we need to continue expanding career-focused education, technical training, apprenticeships, and opportunities that connect students with the workforce and the needs of our local economy. Our goal should be for every graduate to leave Greenville County Schools with a plan and the skills that they need to pursue that plan.
Amanda Brett:
And finally, being the conservative that I claim to be, we have to be good stewards of our taxpayer dollars while continuing to invest in our teachers. I absolutely believe that our teachers deserve competitive compensation and will always vote yes on that. I find ways to support our teachers through our budget, but that always should be a priority.
Every dollar in our budget represents money entrusted to us by the Greenville County taxpayers, and we have a responsibility to continually examine our spending, prioritize the classroom and the teachers, and eliminate expenses that don't directly contribute to student success. We should always be asking, is this the best use of a taxpayer dollar?
Amanda Brett:
And throughout all of these issues, one thing needs to remain constant. The parents must have a voice. It is not simply to listen to parents, but we also need to listen when a legitimate concern is brought forward. We need to make sure it is addressed appropriately.
The families understand the process, which our processes for many issues may be confusing, and that there is accountability for following through. At the end of the day, I believe our focus should be pretty simple. Put students first, support our teachers, listen to our families, and be responsible stewards of the resources our community has entrusted to us.
Catherine Schumacher:
Great. Well, what are the critical experiences, qualities, and skills that you would bring to your continued service as a trustee?
Amanda Brett:
Well, Catherine, I think one of the most important qualities that I can bring to the board is something that's pretty simple, and that's I am available. Over the past four years, I have answered hundreds of emails and phone calls, not only from parents, but from students, teachers, constituents all over Greenville County, including people who may not even have children in the school system now, but they support our schools and they contribute to our community.
I've helped countless people navigate questions, concerns, and challenges. Sometimes that means finding an answer. Sometimes it means connecting someone with the right person or department. And sometimes it simply just means listening. I believe that people should be able to reach their elected officials, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
My first term has also given me something that you simply cannot learn from watching school board meetings, being at school board meetings, or knowing somebody on the school board, and that is that hands-on experience. I have learned how the board and the school system work. I've gained a much deeper understanding of the policies and the procedures, and I've learned how to work with all of my fellow board members to move ideas forward and to get things done.
Amanda Brett:
I've learned that good governance requires listening, collaboration, patience, and the ability to sometimes disagree respectfully while still working together towards that common goal.
I would also say that one of my strongest qualities is that I'm a behind-the-scenes person. I don't need a grandstand. I don't need recognition or a title to know that I made a difference. I genuinely enjoy helping people and solving problems. And for me, public service is not about being the person in the spotlight. It's about being willing to do the work when no one is watching.
So, honestly, Catherine, my first term taught me how the system works. A second term would allow me to use that knowledge and that experience to effectively serve on our board. I'm not running for another term because I need the title. I'm running because I still have more to give, and I believe that Greenville County students, families, teachers, and taxpayers are worth serving.
Catherine Schumacher:
Well, Amanda Brett, thank you so much for being with us today. And for your continued willingness to serve.
Amanda Brett:
Why, thank you so much, Catherine, for having me here.
Meet Stephanie Meek: Greenville County School Board Area 26 Candidate
Catherine Schumacher:
Next up is Stephanie Meek. Well, I'm pleased to be joined by Stephanie Meek, who is a candidate for Greenville County Schools trustee in Area 26. Stephanie, thank you so much for joining us today.
Stephanie Meek:
Hi, Catherine. Hi, Nathaniel. I want to thank Partners for Education and yourself for having me on today. It's a pleasure to see you again.
Catherine Schumacher:
Awesome. Well, please tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in serving on the school board.
Stephanie Meek:
At my core, I believe my greatest purpose in life is to educate, to nurture, and to help others discover and develop their own gifts and purpose.
For the past 15 years, my most important job has been that of mother to three beautifully wonderful children. I have identical twin boys, Benjamin and Jonathan, who are 15 and sophomores at my alma mater, Carolina High School, and my eight-year-old daughter, Amelia, the light and boss of all of our lives, is a third grader at Westcliffe.
I'm running for school board because I want to make sure the best interest of my children and all the children of District 26 schools are a priority and being fought for at the highest level in Greenville County School District. And right now, that is not happening.
Stephanie Meek:
I don't think you can do this job well if you do not visit the schools or make a point to be visible and listen to the communities you swear an oath to serve. The duty of an elected official is one of service, above and beyond anything else.
I am a product of District 26 schools. I spent my teaching career in Judson at Hollis Academy, and almost 15 years as a district administrator, developing and managing programs that directly benefited the schools in District 26, including free tutoring programs and summer camps.
I not only have the heart to do this job, I am also the only candidate with the experience to back it up. My obligation as a school board trustee will always be that of service to the students and families employees of Greenville County. Every decision will be based on what is best for the children. Voters in Greenville know what is at stake in this election.
Stephanie Meek:
We don't have time for political fighting back and forth over scenarios that are not even affecting Greenville County. People are sick and tired of the nastiness and the noise, and they want people making decisions based on what is best for the communities we live in, not a political agenda.
I want to work on the real issues our students and teachers face on a daily basis. I want to help provide real and lasting solutions that grow our community and keep it strong for generations to come, because that is what our community and our children deserve.
Catherine Schumacher:
Well, what are the issues you believe are most important for school board members to focus on in this moment?
Stephanie Meek:
Well, that's a difficult list to narrow down with such a large district. I will say the most difficult challenge we're going to continue to face is the ever-increasing economic challenges our families and our employees are facing.
Over half of the schools in District 26 are Title I, and while they are used to dealing with the challenges of teaching children living in poverty, sadly, those levels of poverty are increasing. Additionally, even our non-Title I schools, the number of families who are now struggling economically has dramatically increased as well, and all of these challenges pour directly into the needs of our schools.
As funding is cut from daycare vouchers and Head Start programs across the state, and more of our families and staff are struggling economically, the less out-of-school-time opportunities our children will be able to participate in, and the more important it will be to find creative solutions to help balance these real needs of our families.
We can do this by working more with existing quality programs in our area and finding ways to partner with them. The school district can't do it all, but we can be a leader in finding and facilitating partnerships across our community.
Stephanie Meek:
I wish I had all day to tell you my ideas to make the school stronger, but I do have five key priorities laid out on my website, stephaniemeateforeducation.com. The list includes everything from the safety of our students and staff to responsible spending and protecting public education dollars, as well as more support and real-world experience for our graduates so they are prepared for what comes next.
Stephanie Meek:
And the last point I would like to discuss as a priority today is the retention of teachers and staff in our district. Every year, there is a mass exodus of teachers, and sadly, it seems to be getting worse. We need to take a hard look at what teachers and staff are experiencing in our schools and really listen to them when they tell us what's wrong.
That's why I'm hosting events during this campaign called Beyond the Bells to listen to current and former teachers to hear the realities they face in the classrooms from them directly. I will also be hosting Beyond the Bells student edition with middle and high school students to hear about their experiences and ideas with issues like bullying, social media challenges and dangers, and anything else they want to share.
And of course, we will also host Beyond the Bells for anyone in the community to attend as well with the same idea in mind. Tell me your concerns. Tell me your experiences. Tell me your ideas, because we have to do this work together. The dates and locations for these Beyond the Bells events will be announced on my webpage and social media pages in weeks to come. I hope to see you all there and hear your ideas to make our school stronger.
Catherine Schumacher:
Well, what are the critical experiences, qualities, and skills that you would bring to your service as a trustee?
Stephanie Meek:
I once had a little boy in my first grade classroom at Hollis, and we're going to call him Junior. And he was really giving me a lot of behavior problems all of the sudden. And this had gone on for a few weeks. Well, one day he made one too many poor choices, and I told him I was going to call his mom after school. And he smartly said, you can't. She doesn't have a phone. It's cut off.
So I replied that I would walk outside and speak to her in the car line. And he said the same thing. You can't. I'm not a car rider anymore. So next, I said that the bus driver would let me ride home with him and talk to mom or I would send a note home with the bus driver. Now, I'm sure I probably couldn't have actually done this, but I naively threatened it anyway.
But of course, his next response was, you can't. I don't ride the bus. So naturally, I asked, well, who was getting you and how are you getting home? He then explained he was now a walker. So I replied, well, I guess it's a good thing I have my walking shoes with me today. And so I commenced to walk Junior home with his older sister, and an entire group of neighborhood kids joined along. Junior held my hand and was beaming with pride because his teacher was walking with him, even though he knew he would probably get in trouble once we got home.
Stephanie Meek:
After I spoke with Grandma and Mom, I learned Junior's dad was in prison, and this was going to be the first Christmas Junior didn't have him at home. The change in behavior, his head down on his desk, staring out the window, it now made complete sense. It was November and signs of Christmas were everywhere.
Stephanie Meek:
Mom further explained she couldn't take the kids to see Dad because the prison was a few hours away and her car wouldn't make it. To me, it was an easy fix.
Two weeks later, Mom, Junior, his sister, and I made the four-hour trip, and I went and sat in the McDonald's for a few hours while they got to hug their dad for the first time in nine months. They came out with a napkin and a handwritten note from the dad in crayon expressing his appreciation for caring about his kids and granting them their biggest Christmas wish.
Stephanie Meek:
I've kept that napkin for over 20 years, and that experience completely changed me. It changed how I taught. It changed how I later led as a district administrator and helped teach other teachers better ways to teach. And it changed how I care for the world.
It wasn't Junior's fault that his dad was in prison, yet he was the one carrying the heaviest price for it. He couldn't think about school because the reality he was facing was bigger than his little heart could or should have to carry. Now, I was a young 20-something with no kids, no husband, and apparently nothing better to do with my time than volunteer for an out-of-the-box idea, but I'm glad I did.
I would never expect our teachers to walk their students home or drive them to see a parent in prison. I do, however, expect them to build relationships with the students they teach. I expect them to see more than a head on a desk. I expect them to care. They can't fix it all. That's why we have counselors and administrators in the schools and local community organizations to help fill the gaps.
Stephanie Meek:
But the teachers are the ones who spend the most time with the students. And you can't teach children well without building a relationship with them first. That's the bottom line. Kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
So what makes me the most qualified to earn the trust in the votes from District 26? It's because I have and will always do more than talk the talk. I actually walk the walk. And I am more than empty campaign promises. I believe we can make a real difference in the schools of Greenville County. And I believe we have the duty to do so for the children in our community.
But this is not something I can do alone. So I now humbly ask the voters of District 26 and our community, will you put your walking shoes on and take this walk with me? Our children need us.
Catherine Schumacher:
Stephanie Meek, thank you so much for being with us today and for your willingness to serve.
Stephanie Meek:
Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure.
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