Five candidates running for four seats on Batesburg-Leesville school board

As many as two new faces could join the elected body tasked with overseeing Batesburg-Leesville schools and their nearly 2,000 students

Incumbents Sonya W. Cary, Craig A. Caughman and Stacey Derrick and challengers Burgundy Barr and Cynthia Etheredge are running for four seats on the Lexington 3 school board in the Nov. 5 election. Current Vice Chair Frances Bouknight is exiting when her term ends this year.

Cary, Derrick and Barr didn’t respond to The State’s questionnaire. Caughman declined to participate.

Cynthia Etheredge

Age: 60

Occupation/place of employment: Retired/part-time at Herlong’s Chevrolet

Education/school: Graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School

Political or civic experience: Batesburg-Leesville Town Council

Why are you running for the school board?

I think I can be helpful to the community, because I have worked in the school district for 33 years and am knowledgeable and aware of school related issues.

If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year on the school board?

My first year I would just like to get familiar with everything that goes on a school board.

More and more growth is coming to the rural areas of Lexington County. How do you feel the district is doing as far as readying itself to handle that growth? What would your priorities be as far as helping the district deal with growth?

Lexington District 3 has been doing a great job in preparing for the growth in our district. They have made sure all of the schools have been updated and are moving forward with the changes that need to be made.