Letter: Candidate on Qualifications for District 5 Board

Editor's note: The following has been submitted by Beth Burn Watson, a candidate for Lexington-Richland 5's school board. 

 

"Our schools must produce the next generation of leaders prepared to forge their niche in a competitive global society.  It's an economic necessity, and it begins with leadership that connects the needs of education and business,” explained Watson on her decision to offer her public service to the District 5 community for another four years.

A 10-year veteran of the board, Watson says she is running again to continue a commitment made to the citizens of the school district when she first ran for the board. That commitment is to meet the high expectations of the community in providing a first-class education for its children and exercising fiscal responsibility while doing so.

Watson, who currently serves as vice-chairman of the school board, cites a number of achievements during her tenure that demonstrate her successful leadership on the board. She was a strong supporter of the 2008 school bond referendum project that has resulted in much-needed renovations to Leaphart, Seven Oaks, Irmo, and Chapin elementary schools and to Chapin, Irmo and Dutch Fork High Schools.  The new Center for Advanced Technical Studies opened this fall and the new magnet high school, Spring Hill, will open in fall 2013.  As a board member, she has helped make these renovations and new construction projects a reality, in spite of the multiple attempts to delay or derail these projects by board members – Kim Murphy and Jan Hammond. 

Watson says that she is especially proud that the district continued its history of academic excellence despite an economic downturn that led to cuts in school funding that crippled many other districts. She cites sound financial management by the school board and the hiring of strong leaders like Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner and chief financial officer Dr. Karl Fulmer as reasons for the district’s continued strong performance.

“The link between schools and economic development is critical. Businesses worry about the availability of a trained workforce; students worry about whether they can be competitive in today's ever-evolving job market.  City and state officials worry about attracting new investment to grow the economy and sustain quality lifestyles.  Homeowners worry about the value of their home.  Everything works in tandem, and a smart board that recognizes this will be in a position to take District Five to new heights.  Businesses will know that our graduates are the best and brightest, and this region is equipped to achieve a dynamic economic renaissance,” wrote Watson in describing her goals for the next four years.

She is married to Will Watson, a Wofford College alumni, and has two children, Emily Burn and William Burn who graduated from Irmo High School. Watson has served in many school-level leadership positions over the years and is a graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism (public relations) and Master’s in Public Administration, both from the University of South Carolina. Watson is employed by the University of South Carolina’s Honors College as an academic adviser and director of the Honors College internship programs.  She is a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

 

Beth Burn Watson, Lexington-Richland 5 candidate for Lexington County