Area 27 - Meet your Candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees

Meet Sarah Dulin and Missey Marsh, Area 27 candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees in the November general election. Area 27 is in the Golden Strip and includes Five Forks, East Georgia Road, Lee Vaughn Road, and Scuffletown Road, with nearly half of it spreading into Laurens County. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Links:

Sarah Dulin - None provided

Missey Marsh

Sample Ballot

Transcript

Catherine Schumacher:
[0:00] This episode of Simple Civics Greenville County is sponsored by Public Education Partners. When you go to the polls on November 5th for an early voting, Public Education Partners has served as an innovation partner for Greenville County Schools and a champion for public education. As an independent, non-profit organization, PEP fosters connections between the private sector and public schools to support the teachers and students in Greenville's classrooms. To learn more or become a public education partner, visit pepgc.org.

Katy Smith:
[0:26] Selecting and evaluating the superintendent. I'm Katy Smith with Greater Good Greenville, and on this episode of Simple Civics: Greenville County, we feature interviews with your candidates for school board in Area 27, Sarah Doolin and Missey Marsh. Area 27 is in the Golden Strip and includes Five Forks, East Georgia Road, Lee Vaughn Road, and Scuffletown Road, with nearly half of it spreading into Laurens County. Here's 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. We've put links to the participating candidates' preferred internet presence on the episode page. Candidates are interviewed by Catherine Schumacher, President and CEO of Public Education Partners. First up is incumbent Sarah Doolin.

Catherine Schumacher:
[1:21] Well, I'm happy to be here with Sarah Doolin, who is running for re-election for Greenville County School Trustee in Area 27. Sarah, thank you for being here today.

Sarah Dulin:
[1:29] Thank you for having me.

Catherine Schumacher:
[1:30] Absolutely. Well, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience with public schools and how your background prepares you to serve the Greenville County Schools Trustee?

Sarah Dulin:
[1:39] Sure. Thank you. I am a product of public schools and a proud jail man graduate. I also graduated from College of Charleston with an art degree and was later credentialed by University of South Carolina School of Medicine for early intervention, which is similar to therapy providers within special education, but is for the birth to three age group that have disabilities or developmental delays. My husband and I are raising four children, and the lack of in-person instruction during COVID motivated me to run for school board in 2020. And so I won my election and have been serving for the past four years. We have children in elementary, middle, and high school right now. So I'm experiencing everything that the average family is. We are a two-parent household, but I have been a single mother.

Sarah Dulin:
[2:37] We, private school, public school, public magnet school, we've had experienced teachers, first-year teachers, school supplies, PTA, SIC, Level 2 volunteering, IEP meetings, all the fundraising, challenge gifted program, the arms art program, schools that have free lunch, paid lunch, all the lunch boxes, band, orchestra, field trips, auditions, dance team, cheer school. Squad, soccer teams, swim practice, all the performances, calls from teachers, calls from the nurse, calls from the counselors, calls that evolve has been on campus again. Car riding, car lines, bus riding, Chromebooks, homework, the list goes on and on. I am literally living all of the experiences and the decisions that the board makes. What else makes me uniquely qualified to represent my area is that I truly evaluate the information I'm providing and have been seeking input and opinions from residents that I represent before I make any big decisions. I've been entrusted by Area 27 to speak for them and not myself, and I hope that they will continue to trust me to do that.

Catherine Schumacher:
[3:54] Thanks. Well, what do you consider to be the most critical issues for the district and board of trustees to focus on in the next four years?

Sarah Dulin:
[4:01] So for my area in particular, there is unprecedented growth, and that is a huge challenge. In addition to the new Fountainhead High School and a new middle school addition at Fountainhead Elementary and a new campus for Bryson Middle in the next few years, even more schools may be needed to meet the needs created by so many new residents. So new schools or larger additions built on existing schools are really the only option to avoid overcrowded classrooms, which will lead to learning loss and higher teacher turnover with less retention. But new schools are also very expensive to build and then later to staff and operate. And my area has a new county council representative that is willing to explore conversations with developers and, and residents about the developers chipping in for infrastructure costs associated with their developments. So I'm really looking forward to being at the table to share those ideas and help Greenville County Schools meet the needs of growing population while not placing the financial burden solely on existing residents and small businesses.

Catherine Schumacher:
[5:19] Great. Well, what do you think is the greatest strength of Greenville County Schools, and how would you as a trustee work to enhance it?

Sarah Dulin:
[5:25] Well, one of my favorite things is how large the district is and that they're able to offer so many vast opportunities because of their size. There's just so many things to be proud of. And some of my favorite opportunities that students take advantage are that Greenville County Schools offers school choice. And even more schools are going to be opening up with more spaces for choice next year. I love the magnet schools like Blythe Academy of Languages and the Fine Arts Center. Schools offer thousands of clubs and sports teams. I love the career centers that offer trade classes and industry certification, which is part of the G-plus initiative that Dr. Royster has worked so hard towards. G-plus also includes college credit via dual credit courses and AP classes, of which thousands and thousands of hours worth of credits are obtained by students annually. I love that we have such great community partners. And that programs like Launch Greenville offer internships that give students real-world working experience. And I think one of our greatest assets is our teachers with all their support, which is just priceless for our students.

Catherine Schumacher:
[6:44] Wonderful. We have a little bit more time. Is there anything else you want to talk about or share with listeners today?

Sarah Dulin:
[6:49] No, but I want to thank Greater Good and Pep for having me today. Thank you so much for this opportunity and invitation.

Catherine Schumacher:
[6:55] Well, thanks so much and thank you again for raising your hand to serve our students in Greenville County.

Sarah Dulin:
[6:59] Thank you.

Katy Smith:
[7:00] Next is Missey Marsh.

Catherine Schumacher:
[7:01] Well, I'm happy to be here today with Missey Marsh, who is a candidate for Greenville County School Board in Area 27. Missey, thanks for being here today.

Missey Marsh:
[7:09] Thank you so much for having me.

Catherine Schumacher:
[7:10] Of course, of course. Well, please tell us a little bit about yourself, your experience with public schools, and how your background prepares you to serve as a Greenville County Schools trustee.

Missey Marsh:
[7:19] Like Catherine said, I'm Missey Marsh. I'm a wife, a proud mother, and a longtime member of the Simpsonville and Fountain and communities. Three of my sons have already graduated from Greenville County Schools, one of which is now a teacher at Fountainhead High School. And our youngest is currently a junior. Professionally, I work in project controls for an engineering firm here in Greenville. This role has given me valuable experience in managing complex projects, budgets, which has been incredibly valuable in my volunteer work. For the past 16 years, I have been actively involved in volunteering in Greenville County Schools. I have volunteered at Bryson Elementary, at Bryson Middle, Hillcrest High School, Rudolph Gordon, and now Fountain End High School.

Missey Marsh:
[8:14] I have served in roles like a room parent, a seeds chair, PTA reflections chair. I've been the PTA vice president, a school improvement council chair, and a track and cross country booster club rep. And in my most recent role, I'm the co-founder and president of the athletic booster club at Fountain End High School. Now, there is no starter kit for an athletic program of a new high school. This definitely has been one of my most significant and rewarding challenges of my volunteer career, which has been raising $653,000 to support athletic programs. This has also been in part because of our amazing booster sponsors and our members. This year, we are most proud because we've been able to start an athletic scholarship fund that will benefit one female and one male athlete in their post-secondary education. I am proudly the founder of the Fury Friday Parade, which is a beloved community event each fall in Fountain Inn. Now, these roles have deepened my understanding of the school system.

Missey Marsh:
[9:27] Allowing me to see the impact we can have as parents and community members. Now, outside of volunteering at Greenville County Schools. I have also volunteered at my church. I attend Simpsonville First Baptist Upstate Church, where I've worked as a missions friends chair, taught Sunday school, and been a vacation Bible school teacher. At Fountain and Recreation, I was a teen parent for 12 years.

Missey Marsh:
[9:55] I am a longtime member of the Junior League, where I have helped raise funds to support community initiatives. My favorite role has been the chair of the Nearly New Shop. I was a part of a team that raised $500,000 to support local women and children. Now, through these experiences, I've learned to manage substantial budgets, coordinate large events, and lead effectively.

Catherine Schumacher:
[10:26] Well, great. What do you consider to be the most critical issues for the district and board of trustees to focus on in the next four years?

Missey Marsh:
[10:34] I'm excited to speak with you about several priorities that I believe are essential for our schools. First is boosting our teachers for greater impact and growth. To attract and retain top-notch teachers, we need to prioritize competitive compensation for our teachers at all levels in our budget. Our teachers spend countless hours with our children, often more time than we do as parents. They deserve the best support, training, and resources that we can provide. I'm committed to developing fiscally responsible budgets that focus on our teachers.

Missey Marsh:
[11:17] When our teachers are well-supported, our students are well-prepared for success. The second is no money, no mandates. If the state mandates changes for our school district, it must also provide the funding needed to support those changes. I'm committed to advocating for a fair approach. Mandates should only be enforced with the financial support required for their successful implementation. I will work tirelessly to build strong relationships with our state elected officials and the South Carolina Department of Education to ensure our funding concerns are heard. Additionally, I will support district proposals that are practical and that are aligned with our budgetary constraints Third, shared ownership, active citizenship, and lasting impact We all share the responsibility of helping our children become exceptional individuals and active contributors to our community, This means involving parents and teachers and community members in their education and development. By teaching our children the value of their civic responsibility and the power of their voice, we prepare them with the skills and values they need to lead and succeed.

Missey Marsh:
[12:45] Investing in their education today builds a foundation for a prosperous future, ensuring a lasting impact for generations to come. Finally, I want to talk to you about safety, which is a crucial concern for every parent, teacher, and student brought to the forefront of our minds with the events this week in Georgia. To improve school safety at Greenville County Schools, I propose several strategies. One, improve education on communication systems.

Missey Marsh:
[13:17] We need to continue to educate everyone on all of the available communication channels for reporting safety concerns and ensure that emergency protocols are well communicated and understood by everyone. This includes students, staff, parents, so that every person knows how to respond in an emergency. We need to involve the community. Safety is a shared responsibility. I believe in forming pathways to engage our parents, guardians, and community members in safety initiatives and discussions. Building a strong, supportive network is key to creating a safe school environment. We need to have regular assessments. We should perform regular safety audits and assessments to identify potential risks and implement necessary improvements. Additionally, we need a checks and balance system to ensure that our principals are accurately reporting behavioral and safety concerns. By focusing on these areas, supporting our teachers, ensuring fair funding.

Missey Marsh:
[14:27] Fostering shared ownership, and enhancing safety, we can build a brighter and safer future for our children together, we absolutely have the power to make a meaningful difference.

Catherine Schumacher:
[14:41] Well, what do you think is the greatest strength of Greenville County Schools and how would you as a trustee work to enhance it?

Missey Marsh:
[14:48] So this is my favorite one because I believe the greatest strength of Greenville County Schools is our community. Our schools are not just places of learning. They are the heart of our neighborhoods, where students and our teachers and parents and our community members come together to support one another. This sense of community is what makes Greenville County Schools truly special. Our community's strength lies in its diversity, its dedication, and its willingness to come together for our common cause, ensuring the best possible education for our children. We have an incredible network of parents, teachers, local businesses.

Missey Marsh:
[15:35] Volunteers, and community organizations that support our local schools in countless ways. Whether it's through volunteering in our classrooms, supporting athletic programs, fundraising for school initiatives, or engaging in school board meetings, our community is deeply invested in our students. As a trustee, I would work to enhance this strength by focusing on three key areas. First, communication is vital. We need to ensure that everyone in our community is informed and involved in our decision-making progress process. I would advocate for more transparent and frequent communication between the schools and the community using various platforms to reach all stakeholders. When people feel informed, they feel empowered to participate and contribute. Second, collaboration is crucial. Our community is rich with talent, expertise, and resources, and we need to leverage these assets to benefit our schools. For schools with underdeveloped community and school connections, I would advocate for comprehensive training and collaboration with our schools that have successfully established strong community partnerships.

Missey Marsh:
[16:58] I would work to strengthen partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations, like I've already been doing through my current volunteer work. By furthering collaboration with these groups, we can provide more resources, mentorship opportunities and real-world experiences.

Catherine Schumacher:
[17:19] Well, thank you so much, Missey. Thank you for being here with us today. And thank you so much for your willingness to serve the children and teachers of Greenville County Schools.

Catherine Puckett:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Greater Good Greenville was catalyzed by the merger of the Nonprofit Alliance and the Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy. You can learn more on our website at greatergoodgreenville.org.