Six candidates are competing for four seats on the board that oversees schools in the southern Lexington County towns of Swansea and Gaston.
In addition to the four challengers, two incumbents — current Chair Lynne B. Fallaw and Sadie Wannamaker — are seeking re-election to the Lexington 4 school board. With Daniel Martin and Chris Pound exiting the board at the end of their current terms this year, the race could install as many as four new faces on the board.
Lexington 4 encompasses six schools and an Early Childhood Center and serves about 3,500 students.
Wannamaker and challenger Dennis Wilson didn’t respond to The State’s questionnaire.
The winners will serve four-year terms.
Tina Marie Brantley
Age: 54
Occupation/place of employment: Data acquisition clerk, UPS
Education/school: Two years of college
Political or civic experience: None
Why are you running for the school board?
I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the school board, driven by my passion for serving our community. With over 27 years of active volunteer experience in our community, I’ve developed a deep understanding of our community’s needs. Now, I’m eager to leverage my expertise and dedication to make a more meaningful impact on our education system.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year on the school board?
Lowering truancy, teacher pay and helping to bring up student test scores.
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?
I recognize the rapid growth in Lexington County’s rural areas brings opportunities and challenges for our school district. While efforts have been made to address growth, I believe more work is needed.
Strengths:
Facility expansions and new school constructions
Staff recruitment and retention initiatives
Technology infrastructure upgrades
Areas for Improvement:
Proactive planning and collaboration with local governments
Addressing transportation and traffic concerns
Ensuring equitable resource distribution
As a school board member, my priorities to address growth are:
Develop a comprehensive growth plan: Create a data-driven plan to manage growth.
Enhance community engagement: Foster partnerships with local governments and stakeholders.
Scalable infrastructure: Invest in technology solutions and flexible infrastructure.
Innovative education: Develop innovative programs and staffing models.
Fiscal responsibility: Ensure responsible resource allocation.
By tackling these priorities, our district can effectively manage growth, provide high-quality education, and maintain our community’s exceptional quality of life.
Cindy L Dibble
Age: 52
Occupation/place of employment: Owner and director of LaDonna’s Dream Academy in Swansea
Education/school: Graduate of Dreher High School in Columbia, graduate of Benedict College
Political or civic experience: Mentor/tutor - Chosen Generation Summer Camp and Mentoring Program; School Improvement Council - Chair; Ladonna’s Dream Academy - Christian Homeschool; volunteer with the Town of Swansea and Mayor’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Ceremony; volunteer with Mayor of Swansea Annual Juneteenth Celebration; volunteer with P.U.L.L Community Outreach Organization; volunteer with Swansea Athletic Booster Club; volunteer with JROTC Booster Club; volunteer with Parenting Partners (District Wide Program) as facilitator
Campaign website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565649962694
Why are you running for the school board?
I am eager to explore opportunities to serve children through a different platform within education. My gifts, talents and experiences with children & families have uniquely positioned me to make a positive impact throughout my community.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year on the school board?
My top priority is to come in as a team player and collaborate closely with my fellow board members. I believe that working together is essential to achieving our goals and making a positive impact for our students.
If elected, a strong priority would be enhancing communication between the school administration, teachers, parents, and the community.
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?
I believe the district has been strategic in preparing for this growth, but there is always room for improvement. Seeking support from our community, parents, and educators is crucial for creating an environment where students can thrive.
Lynne B. Fallaw
Age: 61
Occupation/place of employment: Retired from law enforcement; adjunct instructor Midlands Technical College; owner/instructor Back to Basics Driving School
Education/school: BS in Criminal Justice and Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from University of South Carolina
Political or civic experience: School Improvement Council; Superintendant’s Parent Council; School Board for five years; chair of School Board for two years
Why are you running for the school board?
As a product of public schools and a mother of four daughters, all whom are a product of public schools, I understand the importance of providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to support our school district. Because I am semi-retired, I have the time to assist our school district in achieving future goals and objectives in preparing our youth for college and career readiness.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year on the school board?
Safety is of paramount importance. Providing a learning-rich environment. Active recruitment and retention of excellent teachers and support staff.
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?
Our district has stayed abreast of the growth trends in our area. In fact, our district was just awarded a substantial amount of money from the S.C. Department of Education to renovate one of our schools to add classroom and office space for this trend.
Mark Hardenbrook
Age: 64
Occupation/place of employment: Pastor, Sardis Baptist Church in Swansea
Education/school: MDiv, Baptist Bible Seminary
Political or civic experience: I have had the privilege of serving in and retiring from the Air Force. For the last 14 years, I have served as pastor at Sardis Baptist Church in Swansea. I have also served as a volunteer church youth leader and coach for over 30 years to include seasons with Swansea High School cross-country and track teams.
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for the Lexington 4 School Board because I believe every community member should strive to make a difference in their community. My experiences in the military, in pastoral ministry, and in working with youth of all ages for over 30 years have prepared me to serve on the school board. The military taught me to lead. The pastorate taught me to care for those in need. Working with youth for so many years has helped me stay in touch with challenges youth face in our today’s culture.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year on the school board?
My first priority would be to listen and learn. When leaders accept the responsibilities of a new leadership position, there is often a steep learning curve. My second priority would be to stay focused on the primary goal of a school board which is to provide all students opportunities to learn how to be productive citizens in whatever life situation they encounter. My third priority would be to ensure teachers have resources they need to teach children. Teachers are the most essential piece of the education puzzle in a school district because they have the greatest opportunities to influence children’s lives.
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?
I believe Lexington 4 school district is doing well in preparing itself for the possible influx of new students for two reasons. First, they have been awarded $12 million by the state to increase classroom space at Francis Mack Intermediate School. As stated at the last board meeting, this addresses one of the major issues Lexington 4 has if the student enrollment increases. Second, the current budget reveals Lexington 4 runs a lean budget. It focuses as much as it can on hiring teachers before it hires administration. This budgetary plan will help keep the teacher/student ratio in check if the enrollment increases. My priorities would be to work hard at keeping the budget focused on teaching the students and providing what their teachers need. I would also work hard at making sure we spend monies received for special projects (i.e. building renovations) wisely.
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