SC '08 school board chief practices what's practical

Bill Robinson:

Lost in the hubbub over a home-school educator’s election to chair of the S.C. Board of Education in 2009 is the man who will precede her in the post — Al Simpson of Lancaster.

Simpson takes over the gavel as state school board chairman from John Tindal of Manning when the panel convenes for its next meeting in mid-January. State board members follow a policy of picking their future leader a year in advance.

Simpson cast a critical preliminary vote Dec. 12 that enabled Kristin Maguire of Clemson to defeat Fred “Trip” DuBard, a Florence businessman.

“We had two good candidates,” he said. “I don’t think this vote is going to cause any problems with the board.”

Maguire, he said, “has a whole year to prepare to move up. She’ll do a fine job. She’s shown me she’s dedicated to public schools.”

So is Simpson.

A product of South Carolina public schools, Simpson’s three children attend Lancaster County public schools, where he said he has seen choice work for families.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at December 31, 2007 12:00 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas