When our kindergartners arrive at school ready to learn, then our elementary schools can maintain their focus on teaching the next set of skills, instead of “playing catch-up”. Currently, only 26% of rated schools in Richland One School District are rated “excellent” or “good”¹. While we see improvements in graduation rates overall, a 16-point gap between schools in our own district shows that the quality of a child's education still depends too much on their zip code¹.

Graduation is only half the battle. In the 2024-25 school year, nearly one-third of our graduates were not considered college or career ready¹. For Richland County to thrive, our schools must be more than just buildings; they must be safe, high-quality environments that prepare every student for the modern workforce.

Richland One is under new, promising leadership, and the superintendent deserves a partner on County Council who is committed to partnership and results. As your councilwoman, I promise to work hand-in-hand with district leadership and the community to make sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely in ways that are proven to work for students, families, and educators. Richland County deserves a public education system that it is proud of and moves our community forward.

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SOURCES

1. Richland County School District 1: 2024-2025. SC School Report Cards. [URL: https://screportcards.com/]. Accessed 18 Mar 2026.