South Carolina School Boards Association

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Natalie Ardis

Executive Assistant

111 Research Drive
Columbia, SC 29203

803.988.0261
fax 877.673.6976

nardis@scsba.org

Natalie Ardis

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111 Research Drive, Columbia, SC 29203 | 800.326.3679 | info@scsba.org

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SCSBIT Insurance & Risk Management: Protecting Our Schools & StaffDid you know? Through the South Carolina School Boards Insurance Trust (SCSBIT), SCSBA offers specialized risk management, Workers' Compensation, and Property & Casualty Insurance programs designed specifically for South Carolina school districts! From safety seminars like our annual Risky Business Seminar to hands-on risk assessment, SCSBIT helps districts protect their resources so they can focus on student success. Explore SCSBIT services: (scsba.org/scsbit/) #SCSBIT #RiskManagement #SchoolSafety #SCSBA #SouthCarolinaSchools ...

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Announcing the Catastrophe Property Response Plan (CPR) from SCSBIT! A new, no-cost service for our members. We’re taking the burden off school districts by coordinating emergency response, direct vendor payments and expert reconstruction partners so leaders can focus on students. Proven in the field and built for peace of mind. Contact Lyde Graham at 803-799-6607 to learn more! #SCSBIT #SchoolSafety #EmergencyManagement ...

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Ever wondered what a school board actually does? Behind every district decision, program and policy are four core pillars of effective governance that guide local trustees in serving our students and community:1️⃣ VISION – Setting a clear, inspiring direction for student success and long-term educational goals.2️⃣ STRUCTURE – Establishing sound policies, approving balanced budgets and ensuring resources align with district priorities.3️⃣ ACCOUNTABILITY – Monitoring progress, tracking achievement and holding the district to high standards of performance and transparency.4️⃣ ADVOCACY – Championing public education, listening to community voices and standing up for the needs of our students.Effective leadership takes dedication, continuous learning and a commitment to transparency. Over the coming weeks, we’ll break down each of these roles in detail!What questions do you have about school board governance? Drop them in the comments below! #SchoolBoard #PublicEducation #EducationGovernance #CommunityLeadership #SchoolBoardTrustees #StudentSuccess ...

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Legacy of Leadership: How South Carolina School Boards Shaped Public Education - Part 2: The Origin of Local School Boards (1895–1930s)As public education expanded, local governance became essential. The South Carolina Constitution of 1895 and the Act of 1895 officially established county and district boards of trustees, setting the structural foundation for local school board leadership which exists today. Under the original 1895 statute, local trustees were appointed for two-year terms and entrusted with foundational duties: 🔹 Providing suitable schoolhouses in their districts🔹 Employing certified teachers and managing local funds🔹 Setting school term schedules and holding regular public sessionsWhile many of those core responsibilities remain true today, school board trustees now navigate far broader areas, including complex state and federal legislation, district finance, curriculum standards and strategic advocacy. These early decades of local board governance set the stage for statewide collaboration and the eventual birth of SCSBA in 1950. #thescsba #scsbalegacy #sced #publiceducation #EducationHistory #LeadershipInEducation #SouthCarolina #SchoolBoardGovernance ...

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Legacy of Leadership: How South Carolina School Boards Shaped Public Education - Part 1: Early Beginnings & Reconstruction (1710s–1910s)Following the response to our Gone But Not Forgotten series, we are excited to dive deeper into the historical journey of public education and school governance in South Carolina! Did you know that in South Carolina’s earliest years, educating a child was almost entirely a private family responsibility? While early laws like the Free School Act of 1811 began allocating state funds for local schools, public education remained limited and fragmented. The true turning point came with the post-Civil War Constitution of 1868, which established a statewide system, creating the office of State Superintendent of Education, founding the State Board of Education and guaranteeing public education for all children regardless of race. Under Justus K. Jillson, South Carolina’s first state superintendent, the foundation for modern school governance took shape through:🔹 Approved state textbooks and unified curricula🔹 Formal teacher certification standards🔹 Summer institutes for professional development These early legislative milestones paved the way for local school boards and the ultimate founding of SCSBA. Join the Conversation: Which decade would you like us to explore most? Let us know in the comments below!#theSCSBA #SCSBALegacy #SCed #PublicEducation #EducationHistory #LeadershipInEducation #SouthCarolina ...

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