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To run for a school board, a candidate must be a registered voter in the area to be represented.
SCSBA provides information for individuals considering running for their local school board.
Board members are elected in 78 of the 85 districts. Seven districts have members appointed by a County Board. Sixty-four elections take place in November. Special elections and appointments occur in other months in the remaining districts. Thirty-nine districts choose board members from single-member districts, 30 retain at-large representation and 16 districts use a combination.
The filing dates for school board seats vary from county to county. In some districts, candidates must also file by petition. For more information, contact your county election commission.
Code of Ethics
As a school board member in South Carolina, I pledge my efforts to improve public education in my community and will solemnly try to abide by the Code of Ethics below:
to represent the interests of the entire district when making decisions and to rely on available facts and on my judgment rather than on individuals or special interest groups
to understand the proper role of the board to set policies governing the district and to hire the chief administrative officer
to carry out these policies to encourage an open exchange of ideas by all board members during the decision-making process
to seek regular communications between the board and students, staff and all segments of the community
to attend all board meetings, to study issues facing the board and to enact policies and official actions only after full discussion at such meetings
to work with other board members in a conscientious and courteous manner befitting the public trust placed in the position of school board trustee
to communicate concerns and public reaction to board policies and school programs to the superintendent and other board members in a professional manner
to support employment of the persons best qualified for staff positions and to ensure a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff
to avoid conflicts of interest and to refrain from using my board position for personal or partisan gain
to encourage recognition of the achievements of students and staff and of the involvement of community residents
to support legislation and funding which will improve the educational opportunities and environment for students and staff
to take no individual action which would compromise the integrity of the board or administration and to respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under the Freedom of Information Act
to study current educational issues and to participate in training programs such as those offered through the South Carolina School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association
to make the educational setting in our district the best possible to encourage all students to achieve and to love learning
Oath of office
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified,
according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise
the duties of the office to which I have been
elected (or appointed) and that I will, to the best
of my ability, discharge the duties thereof and
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
of this State and of the United States, so help me God."
(S.C. Constitution, Art. III, Sect. 26)
For more information, contact Debbie Elmore, 1.800.326.3679.
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